speech on anti corruption in english

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Remarks by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the International Anti-Corruption Conference   (IACC)

AS DELIVERED

Good afternoon everyone. And on behalf of President Biden—I want to welcome you to Washington.

Yolaan, thank you so much for those opening words which I think really do effectively frame not only the task of this conference, but the task of this broader enterprise all of you are so deeply invested in.

I want to thank everyone gathered here, and especially leaders like Huguette, Delia, and Gary—for your commitment to combatting corruption over the years.

I’d also like to extend a special welcome to President Sandu, who has done remarkable work in Moldova to end the “rule of thieves” and push forward the rule of law—inspiring people everywhere. I think we all should give President Sandu a round of applause and a warm welcome for it.

And of course, thanks to all of you—those who have traveled here, those who are tuning into the conference virtually. This is an important moment.  

I’m told that the first and last time this Summit was actually held in Washington, DC was in 1983.

That was the year of the first mobile phone. It was the year that the actual official “Internet” came on to the scene. It was the year the United States launched our second Space Shuttle into orbit. It was a year when we glimpsed, but did not fully grasp just how integrated our world was going to become.

Nearly four decades later—technology has taken us far and fast. Our people and our problems are more connected than ever. And the once bright line between domestic policy and foreign policy has grown dimmer and more blurred.

Today, we all depend on the same supply chains and feel the impact when a global pandemic brings them to a halt. We use the same cyberspace to share ideas and sell goods, and we face same the same threat of disinformation in that cyber space. We rely on the same energy and the same technology to power our everyday lives.

We not only face the same transnational problems—we feel their shared impact.

Simply put, the challenges that we are facing—whether you’re in government, in the private sector, in civil society, just in your community—are more integrated than ever before. And so our response has to be more integrated than ever before.  

That has been the hallmark of President Biden’s approach to national security.

Under his leadership, a few weeks ago we released the National Security Strategy of the United States. It recognizes the fundamental reality of our time: that we face two fundamental strategic challenges at the same time.

One is the return of geopolitics. The other is the sheer scale and speed of transnational challenges that do not respect borders or adhere to ideologies. These two strategic challenges actually work across purposes with one another.

Geopolitical competition can make working together in common cause to solve the problems of our time more difficult. And these accelerating, multiplying, reinforcing problems can create greater instability that only further enhances and exacerbates geopolitical competition.

And yet we have to face this strategic context squarely as we try to deal with those threats that are undermining our security, our prosperity, and our democratic institutions.

And at the top of that list—squarely at the top of that list—is corruption.

It’s an issue that touches every aspect of our lives. It’s a health and human rights issue. It’s an education issue. It’s a governance issue. It’s a security issue. It’s an issue that crosses our borders, hollows our economies, threatens our security—empowering those who use crime to destabilize democracy and entrench autocracy.

The vastness of this challenge perfectly exemplifies the urgency that President Biden’s National Security Strategy places on integrating our work in domestic policy and foreign policy.

And in a few moments, I’m going to talk—at a conference on international corruption—about some pretty specific domestic policy reforms that United States has undertaken.

For our part at the National Security Council at the White House, we have quite literally built into the organizational structure of the NSC, and elevated focus on those issues that spill out of the traditional silos—supply chains, the energy transition, tax policy, ransomware, and yes, corruption.

Corruption hides in laws and loopholes, it’s perpetrated by both leaders and locals. It takes place in board rooms and in court rooms, and all too often leverages licit institutions for illicit gain. It relies on silent accomplices, opportunistic enablers. And unfortunately, as many of you know so well from your experience, it’s able to cross our borders with ease—cloaking itself in both criminal networks and legal shell companies.

President Biden in the past has called corruption “a cancer within the body of societies.” And it’s been the focus of his work across his decades of public service—in both domestic and foreign policy. In all its perverse forms. From the corruption and violence that corroded the communities of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, to the conflicts of interest and dark money that persist in the shadows of advanced democracies—even our own.

Shortly after taking office, President Biden issued a presidential policy directive that established combating corruption as a core national security interest and democratic responsibility.

He committed to driving this priority at his Administration’s first Summit for Democracy—trying to help lead efforts internationally to bring transparency to the global financial system and to hold accountable corrupt individuals in countries around the world.

Exactly one year ago today, we released the first United States Strategy on Countering Corruption, and in the intervening months we have driven a comprehensive, coordinated global effort behind it. We have tried to go law by law, loophole by loophole, launderer by launderer to make it happen. Because when we look across the world—we see not only corruption’s corrosive impact. We see the ways that the fight for accountability can actually motivate real, positive change—from Kyiv to Kuala Lumpur, from Lusaka to Bratislava.

So I today want to talk to you about two main ways that we’re transforming this plan into progress.

I could describe these two main ways in kind of fancy words, or technical jargon. But it really comes down to: helping the good guys, and going after the bad guys. And I want to talk about each of these two important lines of effort.

First—helping the good guys. And I mean that in a gender-neutral way—guys, generically. The good people. Helping the good people going after the bad people.

That starts with lifting up the leaders who themselves are tackling corruption. By leaders, I don’t just mean political leaders. I mean leaders in the true sense. People who are leading on this issue—and many of them are here in this room or watching virtually. Journalists, like Yolaan, who are risking their careers—even in some cases their lives—to uncover government graft. Activists—many in this room today—giving their all to push for transparency. And yes, remarkable political leaders too who are putting everything on the line to rid their countries of corruption—from bribes, to buyoffs, to embezzlement.

So the United States—working with many other countries and with civil society—we are doubling down on funding to protect and train investigative journalists around the world, and we’re asking our partners to join us in the effort.

We’re supporting the creation of a new fund to help provide journalists with defense counsel, so they don’t have to worry as much about the threats of litigation designed to discourage them from doing their jobs.

Around this time last year, President Biden opened that first Summit for Democracy with the words, “All around the world, democracy needs champions.”

The fight against corruption, as part of that fight for democracy, needs champions too.

So to lift up these champions, we launched the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal . It’s a nearly half-a-billion-dollar initiative that will help empower democratic reformers, change-agents, and whistleblowers to combat corruption in all of its forms.

And critically, we’re standing with courageous leaders around the world. Some of them here today—including President Sandu.

In 2020—after decades of entrenched corruption and rule under the thumb of pro-Kremlin oligarchs—the people of Moldova spoke up for change.

They spoke up for a European future. For reforming the judiciary and raising living standards. For dismantling state capture by corrupt elites.

We have been proud to be President Sandu’s partner in creating a modern judicial case management system that will fairly and effectively uphold the rule of law.

President Sandu is demonstrating a rare combination of political will and personal courage.

And she isn’t alone.

In Zambia, for example, the President is leading what he has called a “New Dawn”—including reforms that protect press, promote accountability, and reject corruption and crime.

These leaders—and others around the world—are breathing new life into the old adage, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

But of course, if we want to bring about lasting change, we have to level the playing field and raise the costs of corruption—and this brings me to the second line of effort: going after the bad guys. The bad people.

Because it’s not just good enough to help our friends. We’ve got to make it harder for those who want to use corruption as a tool to weaken and corrode the societies and democracies that we’re seeking to support and help thrive.

We have to ensure that our systems serve as a check, rather than an accomplice, to corrupt behavior. And for us in the United States, that means taking steps to make it harder to exploit the U.S. financial system to advance corruption globally.

Many of you well understand that for decades, corrupt actors have looked to the US financial system—the tools, the rules, the loopholes—to try to move money, to move ill-gotten gains to further their corrupt endeavors—using layers of shell companies to obscure, launder, and legitimize those ill-gotten gains.

We’re not talking about corporate entities that contribute to our economy. Shell companies can have legitimate purposes, but they are also a favored way for criminals of all stripes—from kleptocrats to arms dealers—to hide their identity as they move assets through our financial system.  

So, early last year, with thanks to leadership from those inside our Administration and across this room, the U.S. Congress passed a landmark bipartisan law—the Corporate Transparency Act—that requires companies incorporated in the United States to disclose information about their true owners.

It was a huge step. And the most significant update to our anti-money laundering architecture in decades.

Two months ago, yeah I think we should—I think it is worth pausing and in giving some applause for this, you’re applauding also the work of a lot of people who put blood, sweat, and tears into making that major advance on behalf of anti-corruption efforts through the passage of this important law.

And just two months ago, the Treasury Department issued the first regulation to implement this law. And the final reporting rule—which goes into effect a year from now—will maximize our opportunities to track down corrupt actors, while minimizing the burden on small business and other reporting companies.

But we’re not going to stop there. 

As the world’s largest economy, an engine of global innovation and progress—we bear particular responsibility to identify and address our own regulatory vulnerabilities.

So last December, the Treasury Department launched a regulatory process to tighten the ability of illicit actors to launder dirty money through our real estate sector.

We will also continue to work with Congress on further measures to enhance transparency and accountability. The Biden Administration fully supports the bipartisan Establishing New Authorities for Business Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security Act. That’s a mouthful—many of you know it better as the “ENABLERS” Act.

As its name suggests, the ENABLERS Act would level the playing field by imposing anti-money laundering requirements on accountants, lawyers, and investment advisors.

It makes good business sense. It makes good sense for our security. It makes common sense—and we encourage Congress to enact it into law as soon as possible, and we will work with you to get that done.

We aren’t going at this alone.

Taking on the corrupt actors around the world is something that each of us has to do, you know, in our systems. But also something we need to rally our partners to do through collective action as well.

So we’re increasing our collaboration with other countries toward this end.

We’ve trained thousands of criminal justice officials to better prosecute corruption cases. We’ve worked with courts around the world to improve efficiency and effectiveness. We’re supporting our G7 partners as they advance their own beneficial ownership reporting regimes and anti-corruption regulations.

And—in turn—the G7 is coming together to collaborate with a range of partners to curb transnational corruption, including by supporting our African partners in setting up 15 additional registers that will help keep track of who really owns and controls shell companies and other legal entities.

But, just as it’s not only about helping lift up the good guys, it’s taking after the bad guys. It’s not only about playing defense against the movement of money, it’s about going on offense too.

In the wake of President Putin’s brutal aggression against Ukraine, we teamed up with our G7 partners to exclude him and his accomplices from the global financial system.

And in coordination with our Allies and partners we established the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force, or “REPO,” to go after their ill-gotten gains and make sure they’re not benefitting off the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

So far, the REPO Task Force has frozen more than $30 billion worth of assets— that’s billion with a “b”—from super yachts to skyrise apartments.

All the while, we’re using the full range of our toolkit—including criminal prosecutions, civil forfeitures, sanctions—to send a clear message to corrupt actors everywhere: steal from your people at your own peril. 

And in the months and years ahead, we’re going to supercharge our agenda—bringing the fight directly to criminals, cronies, and kleptocrats wherever they seek to hide.

To help lead these efforts, we’ve established a Global Coordinator for Anti-Corruption at the State Department—alongside task forces at USAID and the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Justice—to integrate and elevate counter-corruption efforts across all of our agencies.

We’re also making the fight against corruption a cornerstone in all of our strategic engagement in every critical region of the world. To take an example, along with a number of economies in the Indo-Pacific, we launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework—which includes more than a dozen regional partners representing 40% of global GDP—and the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. And in both of these efforts—anti-corruption efforts, efforts to reinforce the rule of law, to put in place the kinds of measures I’ve just been describing—are front and center as part of the overall architecture for international economic engagement that the Biden Administration is pursuing and will continue to work in tandem with our partners to pursue.

And finally, we’re prioritizing combatting corruption in all of our multilateral engagements.

Next year we’ll host the 10th Conference of State Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption, bringing together experts from around the world in pursuit of a common vision. And we will again make corruption a pillar of the second Summit for Democracy, which President Biden will co-host in March with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and Zambia.

Let me close with this final point:

We’ve got to be in this fight for the long haul.

Whether we’re lifting up the leaders fighting corruption, or isolating the actors perpetrating it—we’re not going to let up. We can’t let up. We got to keep going for as long as it takes.

We know that meaningful change often comes slowly. More slowly than any of us would like. We know it doesn’t emerge out of a vacuum.

It comes from countless hours of activism and advocacy. It comes from tireless research, reporting, reforms—sometimes incremental, sometimes sweeping. It comes from brave witnesses and courageous whistleblowers who put everything on the line. And it comes from the service and sacrifice of people across this room who have dedicated their lives to uncovering truths and exposing lies.

As I said, change can come slowly. It can come too slowly for any of our satisfaction. But it comes. It comes because of your work.

So we promise to stand with you. And together, we will make significant, genuine, real, tangible, recognizable progress on this massive problem. And we will do it together. And we will do it in support of the efforts that all of you have devoted your lives to. And I thank you for the opportunity to address you today.

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World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim Speech on Anti-Corruption at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

• This page in:

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim Washington, DC

“Anti-corruption Efforts in a Global Environment: A Commitment to Act”

Colleagues, Friends and Development Partners:

It is apt that we meet here at CSIS, where since 1962 the Center has pushed boundaries to find practical solutions to the major, intractable problems of the times. Among these, perhaps none has been more ubiquitous or enduring than the problem of corruption, which is on our agenda for today. Not long ago, it was accepted in many development circles that little could be done about the problem. In the 1990s, such attitudes started to change in response to many factors, including the end of the Cold War and the growth of global NGOs, such as Transparency International.

During this period, a growing body of evidence began underscoring that corruption exacts a pernicious toll on development. Research by the Bank and others has demonstrated that there is a negative association between growth and corruption. Corruption acts as a regressive tax, penalizing poorer citizens and smaller firms. It restricts access to services for the more vulnerable citizens and is associated with a lower quality of public services. It is a significant cost for business. By one estimate $20 to $40 billion are stolen from developing countries each year.

The World Bank has played an important role in the evolution of the global integrity and good governance agenda ever since Jim Wolfensohn’s “Cancer of Corruption” speech at the Bank’s annual meeting in 1996. For me, Jim’s original words resonate every bit as strongly today as when they were first uttered 16 years ago.

Jim said: “Corruption diverts resources from the poor to the rich, increases the cost of running businesses, distorts public expenditures and deters foreign investors…it is a major barrier to sound and equitable development.”

I am privileged to have this opportunity to spell out my thoughts as to how the Bank will address issues of anticorruption during my tenure. Let me begin with two caveats.

The first is that the anticorruption agenda is an important subset of the broader good governance movement and needs to be viewed within this setting. Few issues are more important for development and shared growth than good governance. Public institutions deliver vital services such as health and education, upon which the poor are particularly dependent. Corruption subverts and undermines all these functions and as such serves as a major impediment to development. It is in this context that combating corruption both has been and will continue to remain one of the Bank’s top priorities.

Second, as our recent Governance and Anticorruption Strategy Update notes, much of the Bank’s work on this agenda is about managing—and not avoiding—risk. We need to be engaged in settings and contexts that do not rank highly on global indices of good governance. We need to be fighting poverty in areas where the legal framework for combating corrupt and illicit behavior is imperfect and institutions of public accountability may not function well, or even exist at all. We need to be encouraging staff to take risks and innovate in the service of development, as long as the risks are carefully thought through up front and managed during implementation. Our response must be swift and decisive when problems emerge—as they inevitably will.

Enforcement is important. To give you a sense of the problem, last week we took stock of the World Bank’s investigations into misconduct in its projects. This exercise revealed that we had closed 609 investigations and generated 205 debarments over the past four and a half years. I have asked the relevant units in the Bank to sift through this body of evidence, distill the lessons so that we can better modulate risk to ensure that those insights guide future business decisions.

Our willingness to work in difficult situations and an appetite for measured risk should never be confused with a willingness to tolerate corruption in Bank projects and activities. Let me say it loud and clear: When corruption is discovered in our projects and activities, we have zero tolerance for it within the World Bank Group. So where does this leave us? Should we shy away from high-risk interventions and forgo the potentially massive benefits to the poor or should we rather take a calculated risk, design appropriate safeguards and move forward with them? My answer is that we need to take risks for development results but we have to do so with our eyes open and try to mitigate those risks as much as we can.

However, sometimes things go wrong and then we need to stand firm. This is what happened in the case of the Padma Bridge Project where insufficient response by the authorities to the evidence of corruption at the time made us terminate a $1.2 billion credit in June last year.

I have no intention to preempt things, as legal and other processes have to run their course. Until certain conditions are met to heighten oversight in the project and give assurance that a complete and fair criminal investigation is under way, we cannot consider financing the bridge. I say this knowing how much this bridge means to the people and economy in the southwest of Bangladesh. It is a steel lifeline linking them to opportunity.

Jim Yong Kim

But we have remained engaged in Bangladesh. Our current portfolio includes over 30 projects with commitments of about $4.3 billion. Our lack of tolerance for corruption does not mean that we ignore the larger development picture.

Good institutions have systems, checks and rigor to prevent bad things before they happen. The World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency trains both World Bank staff and client country counterparts on detecting red flags in public procurement, and we’re in the process of developing software that will help automate these processes. In 2010, the Bank launched the International Corruption Hunters Alliance, with the goal of bringing together the heads of national level anticorruption agencies, prosecutors and auditors so that they could learn from and draw moral support from each other.

Senator Leahy addressed the Alliance members at the time, and very pointedly outlined the consequences of failing to stop corruption. He said if we turn a blind eye—in any country—we fail our own citizens, we fail the people of the countries we want to help, we undermine the rule of law domestically and internationally, and we damage our long-term interests.

We should learn from governments’ enforcement and prevention measures – Brazil has made some radical interventions to turn drug-infested favelas into safer neighborhoods; in Italy the tax authorities are using an unorthodox approach called Redditometro to expose tax dodgers; in India the government is grappling with an anti-corruption bill.

These anticorruption efforts, and the work of Leonard and our Integrity Vice Presidency, are a critical link in a broader chain contributing to good government, integrity and development effectiveness. More broadly, our recent Governance and Anticorruption Strategy, endorsed by the Board unanimously in March 2012, emphasizes six pillars for combating corruption and advancing the cause of good governance. They include:

• Integrate governance issues more systematically within these instruments;
• Support capable, transparent country institutions;
• Focus more sharply on results;
• Aim to more effectively management of risk;
• Improve global governance, including ongoing support for important discussions at the level of the G-8 and G-20, as well as initiatives such as the Stolen Assets Recovery (StAR) and Extractive Industry Transparency (EITI) initiatives; and finally
• Facilitate the implementation of the governance agenda across the scope of Bank operations.

Our governance and anticorruption practice needs to be carefully informed by robust data and analysis—capturing more of the “science of delivery” that I have spoken about on many occasions. Our team needs to do a better job of capturing tacit and implicit knowledge about how to conduct governance and public sector reform—particularly in difficult circumstances such as those involving Fragile and Conflict Afflicted States—along with disseminating this knowledge more effectively to our staff and development partners. We need to be focused more upon solving real-world problems than the traditional “best practice” model of institutional development.

Let me tell you one short story. I was in Haiti late last year and one of my meetings was with a group of private sector leaders. I know the history of Haiti well, having worked there for many years through an NGO that I co-founded, Partners in Health. In Haiti, there is a long history of crony capitalism, where just a few close to those in power reap nearly all the benefits of trade and business. This is a common and insidious form of corruption. And it can’t be allowed to persist. That’s what I told the group of private sector leaders on that morning – that the economic system of crony capitalism had to be broken open, become more inclusive, and involve women, young people, and entrepreneurs. That has to happen if Haiti is ever going to succeed.

Bono came to speak at the World Bank recently, and he called corruption “the biggest killer of them all.” His statement seemed to surprise many people, but corruption is indeed often the slow, silent killer of effective development.

When corruption seeps into the social sector, it means that a hospital is built without life-saving equipment or that a school is built without adequate salaries for teachers. It means roads are built without guardrails, or in some cases not built at all. And who pays for this? It is the poor who pay --sometimes with their lives. Corruption steals from the poor. It steals the promise of a brighter future.

I am constantly challenging Bank staff to think about “bending the arc” of history. As we all know, the history of corruption is a lengthy one, and bending this arc will not be easy. But please know that a central priority of my tenure at the World Bank Group will be taking forward the corruption-fighting agenda that Jim Wolfensohn so ably articulated during his presidency and adapting it to today’s challenge of shared prosperity and the end of poverty.

Thank you very much.

• Côte d’Ivoire

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09 december 2020, secretary-general's message on international anti-corruption day [scroll down for french version], antónio guterres, secretary-general.

In recent years, anger and frustration have erupted at corrupt leaders and governments. In some countries, people have taken to the streets with demands for social justice and accountability.

Amidst these deep concerns, the COVID-19 crisis creates additional opportunities for corruption. Governments are spending rapidly to get economies back on track, provide emergency support and procure medical supplies. Oversight may be weaker. And the development of vaccines and treatments adds to the risk of bribery and profiteering.   Corruption drains resources from people who need them, undermines trust in institutions, exacerbates the vast inequalities exposed by the virus, and hinders a strong recovery. We cannot allow stimulus funds and vital emergency resources to be diverted.

Recovery from the pandemic must include measures to prevent and combat corruption and bribery. We need broad partnerships to strengthen oversight, accountability and transparency, building on the global anti-corruption tools provided by the United Nations Conventions against Corruption.

Action against corruption should be part of broader national and international reforms and initiatives to strengthen good governance, tackle illicit financial flows and tax havens, and return stolen assets, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. We must take the opportunity for ambitious reforms and initiatives at the first-ever General Assembly special session against corruption next year.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, all of us – governments, businesses, civil society and all stakeholders – must resolve to work together to promote accountability and end corruption and bribery for a more just and equal world.

***** Ces dernières années, la colère et l’exaspération ont éclaté face à des dirigeants et à des gouvernements corrompus. Dans certains pays, la population est descendue dans la rue pour réclamer la justice sociale et l’attribution des responsabilités.

Alors que ce problème est déjà source de vives préoccupations, la crise engendrée par la COVID-19 ouvre la voie à de nouvelles pratiques de corruption. Les pouvoirs publics dépensent leurs ressources à la hâte pour remettre les économies sur les rails, fournir une aide d’urgence et acheter des fournitures médicales. Aussi, la surveillance se relâche parfois. L’élaboration de vaccins et de traitements peut aussi accroître le risque de corruption et de profit abusif.   La corruption prive de ressources les personnes qui en ont besoin et sape la confiance dans les institutions. Elle creuse les profondes inégalités qui ont été mises à nu par la pandémie et fait obstacle à une reprise vigoureuse. Nous ne pouvons accepter que les fonds de relance et les ressources vitales destinées à l’action d’urgence soient détournés.

La reprise après la pandémie doit passer par des mesures visant à prévenir et à combattre la corruption et la pratique des pots-de-vin. Il nous faut élargir nos partenariats pour renforcer la surveillance, la responsabilité et la transparence, en nous appuyant sur les outils mondiaux prévus par la Convention des Nations Unies contre la corruption.

La lutte contre la corruption doit s’inscrire dans le cadre de réformes et d’initiatives nationales et internationales plus vastes, qui visent à renforcer la bonne gouvernance, à lutter contre les flux financiers illicites et les paradis fiscaux, ainsi qu’à restituer les ressources volées, conformément aux objectifs de développement durable. La toute première session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée générale sur la lutte contre la corruption, qui se tiendra en 2021, sera l’occasion d’engager des réformes et des initiatives ambitieuses.

En cette Journée internationale de la lutte contre la corruption, nous devons tous – gouvernements, entreprises, société civile et autres parties prenantes – réaffirmer notre détermination à travailler de concert pour promouvoir le principe de responsabilité et mettre fin à la corruption et à la pratique des pots-de-vin, dans l’optique d’un monde plus juste et plus équitable.  

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Speech to the World Bribery and Corruption Compliance Forum

Speech by the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC MP

Introduction

“It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity of addressing you this morning. Tackling bribery requires first of all an effective law of bribery and I firmly believe the Bribery Act 2010 now achieves that for the United Kingdom. The Bribery Bill enjoyed broad cross-party support during its passage through Parliament, and its enactment shows the UK continues to take combating bribery very seriously indeed.

“Although it is important that the Act should come into force as soon as practicable, it is also extremely important for all concerned to be as well prepared as possible for when that happens - that is why the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has today made a statement launching a public consultation on guidance, about which I will say more later, ahead of the Act coming into force in spring 2011.

“I am sure that this conference will also help prepare for the effective implementation of the Act. As Attorney General I am very pleased to be able to support the rule of law in this important area.

“The Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, on his appointment as the UK’s new International Anti-Corruption Champion on 15th June 2010 - succeeding former incumbent Jack Straw - emphasised that the government will not tolerate bribery. I echo those sentiments and I should like to just briefly look at why it is so important to tackle bribery. Clearly this needs to be viewed in the international context, and particularly so since I am today speaking at a ‘world bribery and corruption forum’ with delegates from a number of different countries. It is important that bribery is tackled for a variety of very good reasons.”

Why bribery needs to be tackled

“The starting point is that bribery is quite simply wrong: it is morally repugnant. International corruption, and national corruption, is a matter of serious concern to us all. We know the World Bank estimates that the sums involved run at $1 trillion annually and we should all be troubled by that. As a general statement, I cannot really put it better than Kofi Annan, the (then) Secretary General to the United Nations, as he observed in his foreword to the 2004 UN Convention Against Corruption. He said:

Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on society. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organised crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish. This evil phenomenon is found in all countries - big and small, rich and poor… corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development, undermining a government’s ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment. Corruption is a key element in economic under-performance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation and development.

“Bribery is therefore not a victimless crime and we must all do what we can to fight corruption, both nationally and internationally, since the issue of tackling bribery is undoubtedly global. The OECD and a number of respected NGOs , among others, have all been instrumental in securing an international consensus on the need to address bribery which can be harmful in so many ways. In the UK, the Bribery Act 2010 signals our continued commitment to fight bribery. The somewhat antiquated law, based on the common law and Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889-1916, has now been rationalised and extended in a modern statute.”

The need for law reform in the UK

“While it has been plain for some time that the criminal law on bribery needed reform in the UK, that should not be understood as meaning the UK was not compliant with its international obligations. Nonetheless, it has been accepted for some time that there is scope for rationalising the existing law and creating a new legal landscape. Indeed, the existing law has not prevented some strong enforcement action being taken in the UK. It is pleasing that the improving UK enforcement position is recognised in the 2010 Transparency International Report.

“I recall welcoming the Bribery Bill in the House of Commons last year, but it is fair to say that I indicated it had taken too long in coming. To look at some of the history, in 1998 the Law Commission published a report and draft Bill on Corruption. That resulted in a draft Corruption Bill being considered by a Joint Committee in 2003, which heavily criticised the Bill and recommended that the scheme of offences be restructured. The government then undertook a consultation exercise in 2005, which revealed that there was broad support for reform of the existing law but no consensus as to how that could be achieved.

“As a result, in March 2007 the government asked the Law Commission to consider the options for reform further and the Law Commission issued a consultation paper on 29 November 2007 inviting comments on its proposals to make the law of bribery simpler and more appropriate to modern times. That resulted in the 2008 Law Commission Report (Reforming Bribery, Law Comm No 313) which provided the foundation upon which the Bribery Bill was based.

“The Bill was then carefully analysed by the Joint Committee on the draft Bribery Bill, debated in Parliament and received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. So, as I mentioned in the House of Commons, it has been a long process, but I am delighted the opportunity was seized in the end.”

The Bribery Act 2010

“The drafting of the Bribery Act 2010 can appear daunting at first sight, because it is very different to the existing law. Indeed, I have some sympathy with the comment of Lord Mayhew (a distinguished former Attorney General) in the House of Lord’s debate on the Bill when he described it as ‘a real candidate for a cold towel around the head.’ But the legislation has to be comprehensive as bribery can take many different forms. I am confident that once prosecutors and the courts get used to the new legislation they will find it effective.

“The Act provides a modern and comprehensive scheme of bribery offences, in order to allow investigators, prosecutors and the courts to tackle bribery effectively whether committed at home or overseas. The Act will help to enhance our country’s international reputation for the highest ethical standards.

“In summary, the Act creates four offences:

two general offences of bribery covering the offering, promising or giving of a financial or other advantage (section 1), and the requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting of a financial or other advantage (section 2);

a third specific offence of bribing a foreign public official (section 6);

and fourthly a new offence of failure by a commercial organisation to prevent bribery (section 7), although it is a defence, under section 7(2), if a commercial organisation can prove - on the balance of probabilities - that it had ‘adequate procedures’ in place to prevent persons associated with it from bribing.

“The general offences focus on either the conduct of the person bribing another, or the person being bribed and identify 6 cases, each involving the improper performance of a function, where one or the other of these general offences would be committed. These general offences apply to functions of a public nature as well as in a business or employment context.

“The offences of bribery of a foreign public official (section 6) and failure to prevent bribery (section 7) are specifically aimed at the use of bribery in commercial transactions and should help create a level playing field for business. The bribery of a foreign public official offence focuses on the use of bribery to influence the recipient in his or her official capacity and is closely modelled on the OECD convention against foreign bribery.

“Other key provisions of the Act include:

an increase in the maximum penalty for bribery from 7 to 10 years imprisonment, with an unlimited fine (section 11)

prosecutions for any of the new offences in England and Wales and Northern Ireland will be subject to the personal consent of the Director of the relevant prosecution authority (section 10)

extra-territorial jurisdiction (section 12) will enable the prosecution in the UK of bribery committed abroad by persons ordinarily resident in the UK as well as British nationals, and UK corporate bodies

the Secretary of State (ie Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice) is required under section 9 of the Act to publish guidance about procedures commercial organisations can put in place to prevent bribery

The consultation announced today by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relates to this guidance.

“I do not intend to go into the detail of these offences, which I am sure will be covered by others today and elsewhere, but any perusal of the Act will reveal that the offences are widely drawn. That should not be regarded as a bad thing. Bribery can take many different forms and the legislation needs to take account of that. I am aware there has been some concern expressed about hospitality or promotional expenditure of commercial organisations. The starting point is that these activities are not illegal per se and the Act is not intended to clamp down on legitimate expenditure of this type.

“It is clear, however, that lavish hospitality and similar expenditure can be used as a bribe intended to induce a public official to award business. The Act must be capable of penalising such conduct. It will all depend on the particular circumstances. In practice, I do not believe it will be too difficult to distinguish what is bribery and what is not, but ultimately of course it will be a matter for the jury to decide. It should also be noted that the Bribery Act 2010 does not provide any exemption for so called ‘facilitation payments’ (unlike US foreign bribery law) so if small bribes are paid to facilitate certain business transactions there is clearly a risk of prosecution. But it is important to note this is not a change. The law has never exempted such payments.

“Establishing the right culture within commercial organisations is clearly of paramount importance in order to prevent bribery occurring in the first place. That is part of the operational good practice of businesses in any event, although the way in which that is disseminated will clearly depend upon the size and nature of the particular business. For any commercial organisation that needs a bit of encouragement, however, there is now the failure to prevent bribery offence in section 7, which is subject to a penalty of an unlimited fine. As I mentioned earlier though, it is a defence if the company can prove that it had “adequate procedures” in place. It may simply be a ‘rogue employee’ that is committing bribery.”

The consultation paper

“The government has previously announced - in a Written Ministerial Statement from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Ken Clarke, on 20 July 2010 - that it would be conducting a public consultation exercise on the form and content of the guidance to be issued under section 9 of the Act, about procedures which commercial organisations can put in place to prevent bribery.

“In a superb piece of timing for today’s conference organisers, that consultation paper has been published today (14th September 2010) and is available on the Ministry of Justice website. The announcement about the commencement of the consultation was made this morning, by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, by means of a Written Ministerial Statement. The consultation will run for 8 weeks until 8 November. I encourage you to respond to the questions posed in that paper. It is anticipated that final guidance will be published early in the New Year, to allow an adequate period for familiarisation before the Act is commenced in the spring of 2011.

“The consultation paper seeks to ensure that the section 9 guidance finally published takes account of the views and considerable expertise in the business community and non-governmental organisations. Our objective is to ensure that the guidance supports businesses in determining the sorts of bribery prevention measures they can put in place, if they choose to do so.

“The guidance is formulated around 6 general principles designed to be of general applicability across all sectors and sizes of business. It is not intended to be prescriptive or standard setting. Instead the principles are outcome focused and flexible. It is for each commercial organisation to determine its policies and procedures so that they are proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of its activities. Small- and medium-sized organisations will face very different challenges compared to a multinational company, but the principles will assist commercial organisations to apply robust and effective measures, should they decide that is necessary, to prevent bribery whatever their circumstances.

“A series of illustrative case scenarios have been provided in addition to the guidance. These scenarios focus on the relationship between the 6 anti-bribery principles set out in the guidance and a number of areas which can present real risks of bribery for many commercial organisations in foreign markets; namely the use of intermediaries and agents, corporate hospitality and promotional expenditure, charitable donations, facilitation payments and dealing with business partners.

“Through a series of questions that are indicative of questions that organisations may wish to ask themselves when applying the guiding principles to their individual circumstances, we are confident that the scenarios will help demonstrate how to match a risk based assessment of bribery prevention needs with various options for preventative measures.”

Prosecution guidance

“Prosecutors and the police are currently gearing up, ready to enforce the Bribery Act 2010 as soon as it commences next year. In England and Wales, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of the Serious Fraud Office are already drawing up joint legal guidance for prosecutors. This will foster a consistency of approach among the police, CPS and SFO. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also be taking similar steps. Prosecutors are already engaging with each other to discuss matters of mutual interest.

“I hope that the joint legal guidance will be published early in 2011. The purpose of this guidance will be to ensure that prosecutors have a clear, comprehensive and consistent guide to the law and relevant public interest considerations. The guidance for prosecutors will be publicly available - published on the CPS and SFO websites as usual - and may therefore also help others understand how prosecutors will approach the new offences in the Act.

“The Serious Fraud Office has built up considerable expertise in dealing with overseas corruption and is working closely with its international partners in combating it. You will be hearing from Robert Amaee, Head of the Anti-Corruption Domain at the SFO, later today. The Crown Prosecution Service has also developed expertise in prosecuting cases of both overseas corruption (in cases that do not fall within the remit of the SFO) and domestic corruption.

“I have told you that the joint legal guidance for prosecutors is being developed. Let me make some general comments - as the Minister responsible for superintending those prosecutors - about what the legal guidance can and cannot do.

“First of all, the guidance cannot as a matter of law - and therefore will not - provide any kind of immunity from prosecution, by stating in advance what activities would or would not be prosecuted under the Bribery Act. As with other criminal offences, prosecutors will make their decisions in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors (“the Code”), which will continue to apply in full in all cases. Other guidance may be taken account of as well, such as the corporate prosecutions guidance, but nothing comes above or before what is set out in the Code.

“Each case will inevitably have to be rigorously considered on its own facts and merits. You will therefore appreciate that there can be no guarantee to anyone in advance about how a particular case will be viewed. Prosecutors - as they are required to do by the Code - will apply a 2-stage test when deciding whether to proceed: firstly, whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction; and secondly, if there is sufficient evidence, whether a prosecution is in the public interest. It is only if the evidential test has been met that prosecutors will then go on to consider the general public interest. Clearly the more serious the offence, the more likely it is that a prosecution will be required in the public interest.

“It is important to emphasise that before the prosecutor even comes to consider the public interest, there is an evidential decision to be made as to whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction of any bribery offence having been committed in the first place. That will require a careful consideration of the elements of any particular bribery offence alleged and an application of the law to the particular facts. Where the evidence does provide a realistic prospect of conviction, however, the prosecutor will then go on to consider whether the prosecution is in the public interest in accordance with the Code.

“In terms of the public interest, again each case will inevitably have to be determined on its own merits. Matters that weigh in favour of prosecution will be considered as well as any factors against. However, as a general starting point, the public interest in bringing a prosecution for bribery is clearly considerable. As I indicated at the outset of my speech - when I spoke about why bribery needs to be tackled - prosecutors will be acutely aware of the harm bribery can cause.”

“The Bribery Act 2010 provides prosecutors with the tools needed to prosecute bribery effectively. Be assured, prosecutors will use those tools - but only where the evidence permits and the public interest requires. The Act will help the UK to be at the forefront of the international fight against corruption.

“Those commercial organisations who already have adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery occurring have nothing to fear. It is only those who do not heed the warnings, and do not take the necessary steps, that need to fear the extended reach of the Bribery Act 2010.

“I trust that you will have an interesting and productive conference and help ensure by your work here that the benefits of the Act are more widely understood.”

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Speech On Corruption [1,2,3 Minutes]

Speech On Corruption & Its Eradication- Corruption is an evil that slows down the economic development of a country & contributes to the exploitation of poor people. Every year, December 9 is observed as an International anti-corruption day to raise awareness among people.

Everyone agrees that corruption is wrong. To be honest, youth can fight against corruption and can say no to corruption. Eradication of corruption needs strong steps to be taken. Surely, with constant political and governmental efforts, we can get rid of Corruption.

1 minute Speech On Corruption

Most Reputable teachers and principle and loved friends. first of all, I want to wish you all the best wishes for the day. Also, I am very grateful for the chance to deliver a speech on corruption.

So, What is corruption? Corruption is a form of criminal activity that involves the illegal use of authority and power for personal gain. It is an evil that is preventing any nation to progress. Apart from that, it has become a tool to exploit poor people.

Everyone agrees that corruption is wrong. It has become a method of earning money by using one’s authority illegally. To eradicate corruption from society, we need to take strong steps. Surely, with constant political and governmental efforts, we can get rid of Corruption.

This is what I wanted to say. Thank you!

2 Minute Speech on Corruption

Hello, all the people present here. Before starting my speech on this evil “corruption”, I would like to wish you all the best wishes and also want to pay thanks for having me this valuable opportunity.

Today, No nation is exempt from the disease of Corruption. From Hospitals to enterprises to governments, no place and nobody is free from Corruption. Corruption originates from the greater levels and goes down to the lower levels.

Sadly, in India, corruption has become a part of life. We have to live with it. In every sphere in India, you will come across this unlawful activity. From medical assistance to school admission, from getting a driving licence to receiving benefits of any government scheme, it is omnipresent.

Corruption is influencing our lives directly. The poor are more likely to be hit by corruption because they have no money for bribery leading to inequality in society. On the one hand, where the daily needs of poor people are not being met, on the other hand, rich people are living harmoniously.

To be honest, there is a strong need to eradicate corruption from society & say no to corruption. With continuous effort, we can get rid of this evil.

There is a lot to say but time is a limited resource & we should respect time. Thank you again. I hope you liked my speech.

3 Minute Speech on Corruption

Corruption is a form of criminal activity done by an individual or an organisation. This activity compels others to compromise with their rights. It is a roadblock in the overall development of any country. Everyone agrees that corruption is wrong and offensive.

Before heading ahead to my speech on corruption, I would like to wish you all the best wishes and also want to pay thanks for having me this valuable opportunity.

In small or in big forms, Corruption is prevalent in almost every sector. Corruption is affecting our lives directly. This practice harms the economically weaker sections of society more. This is because they don’t have money for bribery and so they lag in every area.

“ All the power belongs to the amount of money “. This notion leads individuals and organisations to create a pile of money. They go on the illegal track to earn money and evilly use their authority. They don’t even care about which path they are following.

In India, we have to live with it. Almost in every field, you can see this illegal activity. From hospital to school admission, from getting a driving licence to getting benefits of any government scheme, from politics to private organisation. No place and no one is untouched by corruption.

In a country like India, the largest fraction of the population is youth. So, it is obvious youth have to face corruption way more than any other age category. Plus, this is surely only youth can firmly fight against corruption & can fetch positive results.

Now, this is the youth’s responsibility to fight against corruption. To be honest, there is a strong need to eradicate corruption from society & say no to corruption. With continuous effort, we can get rid of this evil. If it happens, drastic changes will occur and corruption will go extinct.

I stop my Speech here. Thank you again. I hope you liked my words.

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Full Text of Buhari’s Speech At The Anti-Corruption Summit In London

Originally posted on Nigeria News

Read full speech of President Buhari’s speech at the ongoing Anti-Corruption Summit In London:

Fellow Heads of State & Government,

Ø The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the Rt. Honourable Patricia Scotland, QC,

Ø Business Leaders,

Ø Representatives of Civil Society Organizations,

Ø Your Excellencies,

Ø Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be invited to this event to exchange views with you my fellow invited guests representing Governments, the Private Sector Governments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More and Civil Society Organizations. I thank you Your Excellency, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, for asking me to speak at this gathering.

2. Corruption is a hydra-headed monster and a cankerworm that undermines the fabric of all societies. It does not differentiate between developed and developing countries. It constitutes a serious threat to good governance, rule of law, peace and security, as well as development programmes aimed at tackling poverty and economic backwardness. These considerations informed my decision to attend this event as well as the Anti-Corruption Summit organized by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. David Cameron that will be held tomorrow. I expect that today’s event would feed into the discussions that will be held tomorrow at Lancaster House.

3. In 2003, when the world came together to sign the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) that entered into force in 2005, it was with a view to tackling the growing threat that corruption had become to many nations. Little did we know that eleven years since then, the problem would still continue unabated, but even become more intractable and cancerous.

Excellencies,

4. Permit me to share with you our national experience in combating corruption. I intend to do this by placing the fight against corruption in Nigeria within the context of the three priority programmes of our Administration. On assumption of office on 29th May 2015, we identified as our main focus three key priority programmes. They are, combating insecurity, tackling corruption and job creation through re-structuring the declining national economy.

5. Our starting point as an Administration was to amply demonstrate zero tolerance for corrupt practices as this vice is largely responsible for the social and economic problems our country faces today. The endemic and systemic nature of corruption in our country demanded our strong resolve to fight it. We are demonstrating our commitment OGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to this effort by bringing integrity to governance and showing leadership by example.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

6. Tackling the menace of corruption is not an easy task, but it is possible even if many feathers have to be ruffled. Our Government’s dogged commitment to tackling corruption is also evident in the freedom and support granted to national anti-corruption agencies to enable them to carry out their respective mandates without interference or hindrance from any quarter including the government.

7. Today, our frontline anti-corruption agencies, namely, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), have become revitalised and more proactive in the pursuit of perpetrators of corrupt practices, irrespective of their social status and political persuasion. This is a radical departure from the past.

8. We have implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA) whereby all Federal government revenue goes into one account. This measure would make it impossible for public officers to divert public funds to private accounts as was the practice before. Through the effective application of TSA and the Bank Verification Number (BVN), we have been able to remove 23,000 ghost workers from our pay roll, thereby saving billions that would have been stolen.

9. We are also reviewing our anti-corruption laws and have developed a national anti-corruption strategy document that will guide our policies in the next three years, and possibly beyond.

10. I am not unaware of the challenges of fighting corruption in a manner consistent with respect for human rights An essential part of open government includes protecting the sacred freedoms and rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable groups, and holding those who violate human rights accountable. T... and the rule of law. As a country that came out of prolonged military rule only sixteen years ago, it will clearly take time to change the mentality and psychology of law enforcement officers. I am committed to applying the rule of law and to respecting human rights. I also require our security agencies to do the same.

11. I admit that there are a few cases where apparently stringent rules have been applied as a result of threats to national security and the likelihood that certain persons may escape from the country or seek to undermine the stability of Nigeria. It is for this reason that we are seeking the support of many countries for the prosecution of certain individuals residing in their jurisdictions. Of course we will provide the necessary legal documents and whatever mutual assistance is required to secure conviction of such individuals, as well as facilitate the repatriation of our stolen assets.

12. Unfortunately, our experience has been that repatriation of corrupt proceeds is very tedious, time consuming, costly and entails more than just the signing of bilateral or multilateral agreements. This should not be the case as there are provisions in the appropriate United Nations Convention that require countries to return assets to countries from where it is proven that they were illegitimately acquired.

13. Further, we are favourably disposed to forging strategic partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, organized private sector and international organizations to combat corruption. Our sad national experience had been that domestic perpetrators of corrupt practices do often work hand-in-hand with international criminal cartels.

14. This evil practice is manifested in the plundering and stealing of public funds, which are then transferred abroad into secret accounts. I therefore, call for the establishment of an international anti-corruption infrastructure that will monitor, trace and facilitate the return of such assets to their countries of origin. It is important to stress that the repatriation of identified stolen funds should be done without delay or preconditions.

15. In addition to the looting of public funds, Nigeria is also confronted with illegal activities in the oil sector, the mainstay of our export economy. That this industry has been enmeshed in corruption with the participation of the staff of some of the oil companies is well established. Their participation enabled oil theft to take place on a massive scale.

16. Some of us in this hall may be familiar with the Report released by Chatham House, here in London, in 2013, titled “Nigeria’s Criminal Crude: International Options to Combat the Export of Stolen Oil.” The important findings of the Chatham House document are illuminating and troubling. Part of the Report concluded that:

a) Nigerian crude oil is being stolen on an industrial scale and exported, with the proceeds laundered through world financial centres by transnational organized criminals.

b) Oil theft is a species of organized crime that is almost totally off the international community’s radar, as Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic partners have taken no real action.

c) Nigeria could not stop the trade single-handedly, and there is limited value in countries going it alone.

17. It is clear therefore, that the menace of oil theft, put at over 150,000 barrels per day, is a criminal enterprise involving internal and external perpetrators. Illicit oil cargoes and their proceeds move across international borders. Opaque and murky as these illegal transactions may be, they are certainly traceable and can be acted upon, if all governments show the required political will. This will has been the missing link in the international efforts hitherto. Now in London, we can turn a new page by creating a multi-state and multi-stakeholder partnership to address this menace.

18. We, therefore, call on the international community to designate oil theft as an international crime similar to the trade in “blood diamonds”, as it constitutes an imminent and credible threat to the economy and stability of oil-producing countries like Nigeria. The critical stakeholders here present can lead the charge in this regard.

19. By the end of our summit tomorrow, we should be able to agree on a rules-based architecture to combat corruption in all its forms and manifestations. I agree fully with the Commonwealth Secretary-General that anti-corruption is a shared agenda for civil society, business and government, requiring commitment from companies, creating a space for civil society and governments providing support for whistle-blowers.

20. A main component of this anti-corruption partnership is that governments must demonstrate unquestionable political will and commitment to the fight. The private sector must come clean and be transparent, and civil society, while keeping a watch on all stakeholders, must act and report with a sense of responsibility and objectivity.

21. For our part, Nigeria is committed to signing the Open Government Partnership The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More initiatives alongside Prime Minister Cameron during the Summit tomorrow.

22. In conclusion, may I commend the Commonwealth Secretary-General and her team for hosting this important event. This is a very encouraging way to start your tenure. We wish you the very best as you guide the affairs of the Commonwealth family in the years to come.

23. I thank you.

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• Speech on Corruption For Students in English

Speech on Corruption

When a speech about such a universal topic as corruption is concerned, one needs to pay heed to its common nature, that it touches all lives. Every member in the audience has been a victim or a perpetrator of corruption, knowingly or unknowingly. So, it would be a good idea to first make the audience aware about the topic at hand. Including examples that the audience can relate to is a good attention-grabbing tool wisely incorporated at the beginning of the speech on corruption.

First take hold of the audience’s attention, then say what one has to say. When a person or organization uses its authority and power for its personal gain, that is called corruption. Unfortunately, corruption is rampant across the globe, transcending all boundaries. So much so that wherever there is power, there seems to be corruption. It is a matter that touches all lives. Hence this topic concerns the entirety of humanity.

Connecting with the Audience

People connect to similarities. When something similar to their life is talked about, people pay attention. While corruption is a common thread that sadly connects every person, many might not be aware of it. But people do relate when an unjust superior is mentioned, or an overbearing elder relative.

Spreading the Points in Speech

Once the attention of the audience is grabbed, it is time to distribute the important points across the speech in a way that the audience would remember them. Hence, it is a good idea to keep the speech from becoming too monotonous or academic. Even academicians find purely academic speeches boring unless one talks about some radical once-in-a-lifetime discovery or invention.

Tone of the Speech

This is where the tone of the speech has to be kept in mind. A light-hearted but sincere tone appeals to everyone. But it needs to align with the personality of the speaker. It would be unwise for a quiet, serene person to give a speech that is full of jokes and funny moments. The student needs to keep the tone of the speech such that it comes naturally to him or her. If something feels unnatural, keep it out of the speech.

Empathy in Speaker

Another aspect that makes a speech successful is when the audience connects with the speaker as a person. This is perhaps the most elusive trait to grasp in all, but not impossible. To connect to the audience like this, the speaker needs to think of the audience and him/herself as fellow humans. When the speaker thinks and speaks with empathy for the audience and treats each one of them (through his speech) as individuals with a life of their own, with dreams and problems, that is when the audience can’t help but feel that strong intangible connection with the speaker. Great orators in history have this kind of connection with their audience and this is how they have inspired thousands and millions to move and act for their cause.

Long Speech

Hello to all the esteemed members of the audience. Today I wish to share with you some of my views on the prevailing practice of corruption. 

As a much used and prevalent term, many of us must have often wondered as to how we define corruption. Many among us must also have been intrigued as to what can actually be categorized as corruption. Well, to put it in words, we can define corruption as any sort of practice that allows the party or parties partaking in an inordinate benefit or advantage. Many-a-often, corruption is seen to disproportionately favor the outcome of an event, which would not have been the case otherwise.

Various forms of media have often quoted the term ‘corruption’ in relation to powerful people, organizations, political parties and even justice systems. Corruption is what allows some people to escape from the clutches of law and order. Some of the common forms of corruption that we often witness include bribery, money laundering, peddling, extortion, patronage, embezzlement, electoral fraud, etc. Within an organization, the practice of other forms of corruption such as nepotism, cronyism, etc. is also prevalent. 

Political parties are also seen practicing corruption in order to gain influence over the people. 

Corruption prevents the prevalence of justice. As a result of this malpractice, deserving people are often robbed of apt opportunities. This practice is often seen to have a domino effect as it gives rise to a chain of events triggered by a single act. In other words, corruption brings about death to democracy. People engaging in corruption often turn a blind eye towards justice systems touted as an important pillar of democracy. The outcome of corruption, which is usually in favor of the more powerful section of society, also leads people to lose faith in the democratic process. 

Now that we have discussed corruption in detail, we should also make ourselves aware of how we can prevent the same from taking place. Effective law enforcement is often the key to halt this practice. This ensures that corrupt officials are being punished for their crimes. Other measures of curbing corruption include the practice of effective journalism, transparency on the part of the government in terms of policies and other norms, strengthened roles of auditing agencies, etc. The citizens must also be strengthened to raise questions and the government should also be made accountable in order to put an end to corrupt practices.

As citizens and human beings, it is our responsibility to see to it that we do not indulge in any type of corruptive behavior. Great visionaries have time and again stressed on the fact that one of the prime means to bring about peace and end chaos is by giving up corrupt practices. Beside limiting ourselves, we must also see to it that corruption and unjust practices in our vicinity do not go unreported and work with the law enforcement in this regard. Only by establishing a corruption-free society, can we make this world a better place to live in.

Short Speech- Speech on Corruption

A warm welcome to all the lovely ladies and gentlemen. I stand before you today to deliver a few lines on the topic of corruption.

Corruption, a term we often come across, implies the employment of malpractices often resulting in benefit or advantage to the party who employs the same. In various world scenarios, people practicing corruption are often in possession of ill-gotten gains which allow certain or numerous circumstances to work in their favor. In our day-to-day life, we all must have come across corrupt people in business, organizations, politics and more.

There is no one conformed form of corruption. It can range from anywhere from a small bribe to nepotism, patronage, extortions, etc. As often witnessed, corruption often loops in other crimes under its aegis. Due to the practice of corruption, money laundering, human and drug trafficking, kidnapping are also on the rise. Various political parties are also seen to indulge in corruption for harnessing power. Corruption has always been one of the causes for the lack of development of the weaker sections of the society as the practice has been known to favor the rich and powerful.

I would like to conclude by saying that corruption is a hindrance to democracy and the justice system. As a nation striving to advance on all fronts, be it social or economic, we must ensure that we abstain from all kinds of corrupt practices. We should also be vigilant about the corruption prevailing in our society and do everything in our power to ensure a just and equal society is being established.

10 Lines Speech- Speech on Corruption

Greetings of the day to all. Today I am here to present a speech on corruption. Corruption refers to immoral behavior that some people employ to gain benefit.

Corruption often involves dishonesty and misuse of power that allows an undue benefit to some people.

As commonly seen, the more powerful people usually practise corruption which allows them certain advantages. 

The weaker or the less powerful people are generally who suffer as a result of this practice. 

Corruption has many forms like bribery, extortion, etc. 

Practicing corruption can result in several ill effects on society and prevents the practice of justice. Corruption gives people the power to indulge in several harmful activities. 

In conclusion, I would like to say that we should refrain from practicing corruption and also be aware of any such person in this manner. Instead, we should work collectively in order to remove this evil from our society and build a better environment for all.

Explanation for speech on corruption for students in english is available on the Vedantu website. Study materials and notes on these topics have been very nicely written by the highly experienced and qualified teachers to help the students to grasp the concepts nicely. To access all the study notes registered at Vedantu .

FAQs on Speech on Corruption For Students in English

1. What not to say in a speech on corruption?

A student needs to keep in mind to always keep the speech respectful in tone and not call out any individual for faults or shortcomings. It is wise to keep in mind that the speech is usually for evaluation and not for activism.

2. What do teachers judge when a student gives a speech?

Teachers weigh the student’s ability to speak clearly and persuasively about a topic. The judges also read the speaker’s body language, so posture and limb movement should be paid attention to. To know more download the free pdf from Vedantu.

3. Is there a golden rule for public speakers?

There are golden lists but the basic rule that applies to a speaker or anyone is, do unto others what you wish them to do to you. A speaker is just another member of the audience whose turn it is to speak. So, before saying anything, it is wise to remember how the student felt as a listener. If personal stories of speakers were boring, then keep them out of the speech. If a certain kind of anecdote was gripping, include something similar in the speech.

Speech on Corruption

Table of Contents

Speech on Corruption: Corruption is any dishonesty or unethical conduct by an individual entrusted with a position of power. Several people, especially young students, are curious to know in detail about corruption and its repercussions, more so because it is impacting our country’s economic growth and prosperity.

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Also Check: Essay on Corruption

Our speech on corruption, especially the long speech on corruption free India , shares detailed information on the topic. A short speech on corruption can be used as a sample if you want to prepare for a debate. The language used in the corruption speech is so simple that even a child can understand the meaning and so impactful that it can help you leave an impact on your audience.

Short Speech on Corruption

Corruption is a big problem in society. We need to do everything we can to get rid of it. Sometimes, even people who aren’t powerful can get involved in it.

Corruption Speech in English 200 Words

Warm Greetings and Good Afternoon to my esteemed class teacher and students!

The speech topic for today is corruption, and I will address my viewpoint on the same, particularly on political corruption. Ever since the formation of our country, everything has been dictated by the political leaders and people ruling in the government sectors. We are a democratic country, but whosoever comes into power tries to misuse that power for his/her gains, wealth, and luxury. The common people, as always, find themselves in a state of deprivation.

In our country, the gap between the haves and have-nots is so huge that it becomes a clear example of corruption in our country, where one section of society acquires richness and wealth. On the other hand, the majority of the masses remain below the poverty line. This is the reason why the economy of certain nations is facing a decline, such as the USA economy.

Suppose we are responsible citizens of our country. In that case, we should understand that this corruption is eating into our nation’s economic growth like a termite and is giving rise to crime in our society. If the majority section of our society continues to live in deprivation and poverty and will not find any employment opportunities, the crime rate will never come down. Poverty will destroy people’s ethics and morals and will result in an increase in hatred among the people. It is high time for us to address this issue and fight it to pave the way for the holistic growth of our country.

The parliament should pass strict laws against the anti-social elements of our society, regardless of whether such people are within our country’s political system or outside it. There should be equal treatment for all.

It could be countless if one were to think and evaluate the causes behind corruption. However, the most glaring reason responsible for the vicious spread of corruption, I believe, is the people’s non-serious attitude towards the governmental rules and laws and the sheer inertia of government towards those who spread evil in society. It appears that the ones employed to put an end to corruption have themselves become complicit in the crime and are encouraging it. Though there are various strict laws like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Indian Penal Code of 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, to name a few, there is no serious implementation of these laws.

Yet another important reason behind corruption is the non-transparency of bureaucratic and governmental functions. In particular, the government’s institutions show moral laxity and brush off the carpet serious issues. The politicians themselves gobble up the money that should be used for the upliftment of poor people. Even worse, the people who are not affluent and cannot bribe the people in power are not able to get their work done, and hence their files are fated to meet the dust instead of stimulating action. Any growing economy would come falling when corrupt officials hold the reign of a country.

The situation has become very tense, and unless the general public takes proactive measures and becomes vigilant, corruption cannot be uprooted from our society. So come, let’s join hands and fight against corruption.

Also Read: Speech on Organ Trafficking

Famous Speech on Corruption

Warm Greetings to our Respected Principal, Vice Principal, Fellow Colleagues, and My Dear Students!

I, one of the senior faculty members of the History Department, welcome you all on the eve of the Independence Day Celebration . Amidst celebration and gaiety, it has been thought fit by the faculty members to address some serious issues that our nation is suffering with, primarily corruption.

Corruption is a big problem in society. We all need to work together to fight against it, without making any compromises. Sometimes, even people who aren’t as strong or those in powerful positions might be involved in it.

Though our great Indian freedom fighters won the freedom struggle ages back, serious issues, such as corruption, unemployment, poverty, etc., are still eating into our country’s economy and not enabling it to grow. Where does the problem lie – in the governance or society as a whole? We need to identify those grey areas which lead to the spread of corruption and adopt strict measures to eradicate those causes. Winning independence from British rule was one thing. Still, we will only be able to make this freedom worth their efforts when every country’s citizen can enjoy a basic standard of living, and there will be no iniquity in our society.

No doubt, our country is a land of nature and vivid landscape; however, the beauty and goodwill of our land have been marred by the ensuing corrupt activities going all around. In nearly every sector, we can see corrupt personnel who do not deliver their roles and responsibilities well unless the common people bribe them. Such illegal activities are going on day by day for the simple reason that we, as the natives of this country, are encouraging these people, and no strict actions are being taken against them.

Moreover, such people think they can easily escape the laws and go unscathed. Excess of power and money have corrupted the officials, and the situation has become so worse that if a common man needs any assistance or help from the government staff or administration, he/she will have to adopt the corrupt method. You would find corrupt people in the senior administration, the junior staff, and even the clerical positions. It is difficult for a common man to evade them and get his/her work done.

Cities and even small towns and villages have come under its influence. I think it’s high time that, as a citizen of our country, we should owe this responsibility to wipe out corruption from the face of our mother earth and make our country a corrupt-free land for the next generation and to feel proud of it.

Our students are the future of this country, so you should pledge never to adopt any corrupt path under any situation; in fact, you will raise your voice against any unlawful or illegal activity around you. Problems aggravate when we turn a blind towards them. Still, I sincerely hope that from now on, each of us will strictly oppose and prevent corrupt activities from happening anywhere in our country and expose such officials who act as a blockage in the development of our country.

3 Minute Speech on Corruption

Good Morning respectful Principal, teachers, and my dear friends,

Today’s topic for this Assembly meeting is ‘Corruption.’ A poison that ruins the value of individuals and the country.

My perspective as to what corruption means is that it is an act performed deliberately that reduces the authenticity and quality of the nation. People explain corruption as one simple statement: ‘ I had some urgency and had to get this thing done quickly. But my dear friends, this simple statement is so damaging that it directly hits on the country’s image and stature in the world.

We as individuals should understand that even though giving money for getting our work done helps us in quick execution, deep within, it is deteriorating the quality of our life. It builds a bad image of the country and leads to a lowering of our country’s ratings. It does not seem to be a big deed that we pay an extra amount or, what I may say, a bribe to some people for taking advantage of them. But, believe me, that deep down, it kills the ethical traits or values of the people.

This inherited value reduction is not only for the person taking the bribe but also for the person who gives it. Corruption is the hurdle between the country’s and an individual’s authentic prosperity and development. It affects the growth and development of the nation in all aspects, including socially, economically, and politically.

Corruption is also the unfair use of public power for some private advantage by breaking all or a few of the rules and regulations made by the government. One common form of corruption in our country is receiving black money in cash. Even during elections, it has been observed that we see much news on raids being done here at some ministers’ premises, and then on the other day, so much cash is found in this minister’s wardrobe. Haven’t we?

Yes, we have all forms of corruption. Many political leaders say we wish to eradicate corruption, but I haven’t seen concrete efforts coming for this cause. To control corruption, we have to work on the root cause. This corruption is deep inside the roots of our country, and eradicating this is a huge activity or a project that requires complete dedication with purity at heart.

Strict actions should be documented in policies and necessarily implemented on those who practice corruption for their greed.

Thank you, everyone, for being a part of this Assembly session. I am glad that we chose this important topic as our discussion point. I request you all to please make it a habit to stop corruption exactly there itself. We should not be selfish and think about our convenience. I hope you all will help me and our nation control this ugly corruption act.

Thank You! Have a great Day! We have to end corruption!

5 Minute Speech on Corruption

Good evening everyone! Thanks for being a part of this occasion and taking the time to participate.

My discussion for this evening is on the cancer of ‘Corruption’ that has made our life sick. Corruption is an illegal behavior on the measurement of authority or influential party through illegal, depraved, or irreconcilable means with principled values. However, this word is so simple to define but too hard to take out from any country. Corruption is the biggest act that makes the country’s image weak and negative.

Corruption may include many activities, including bribery and embezzlement of funds. Corruption has impacted the Indian economy and government so much that there are no easy solutions for eradicating it. If the citizens of a country are corrupted, it eventually adds to the loss of values of a country. We don’t realize that what we do, in the end, becomes a part of where we live and around whom we live.

Corrupt people always tend to hide behind the fake face of truth and honesty. Most of the time, corruption is referred to as the bureaucratic-political-police nexus that eats into the vitals of democracy.

Corruption starts mostly at the higher levels and carries its way to the extremely low levels too. The heights of corruption have reached a great extent where there are no proper laws to bring these corrupt people to justice. Because of the highly corrupt people who would do anything for money, it has become very difficult for the common man or the righteous to survive.

The level of corruption can be as low as bribing traffic police officers for not wearing a helmet to the extreme level when private contractors bribe government individuals to get the tender of public work or to get the job done. Today, corruption is one of the greatest factors hindering development and stifling the realization of democracy. Corruption affects the growth of a nation adversely.

We all should understand that corruption is acting as an obstacle in the way of the country’s progress. Each one of us should be cautious of the acts that we perform. We take it lightly to give Rs 100-200 to the Travelling Ticket Inspector (TTI) just for our preferable seat allocation, but deep down, that person has made it a habit to procure money from everybody.

Thank you for being a part of this conversation. In conclusion to my session, I would like to tell you all that the corrupt is not only the one who receives illegal money but also the one who provides bribe. I hope that from now onwards, you will not bribe anyone and control others. We see things as small deeds, but these small deeds, in the end, add up to create awareness against corruption.

Thank you!! Have a great day, and keep sharing this message of making our country corruption free.

Speech on Corruption FAQs

What is corruption in 200 words.

Corruption is a complex and pervasive issue that involves the abuse of power and authority for personal gain or the detriment of society. It encompasses a wide range of unethical and illegal activities, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and cronyism. Corruption can occur in both public and private sectors, affecting governments, businesses, and individuals alike.

What are the 4 types of corruption?

Petty Corruption: Involves small-scale bribes or favors typically encountered in daily life. Grand Corruption: Involves high-level officials and significant amounts of money or resources. Political Corruption: Pertains to the misuse of political power for personal or political gain. Systemic Corruption: Occurs when corruption is deeply embedded in an organization or institution's culture and operations.

What is corruption in English 10 lines?

Corruption is the misuse of power and authority for personal gain or to harm others. It includes practices like bribery, fraud, embezzlement, and favoritism. Corruption occurs in both public and private sectors and can be systemic or individual. It weakens institutions, erodes trust, and hampers economic growth. Corruption often leads to inequality and a lack of access to essential services. Fighting corruption requires transparent governance and strong anti-corruption measures. Citizens and civil society play a crucial role in holding corrupt individuals and organizations accountable. Corruption is a global problem, affecting governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. International efforts exist to combat corruption, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Addressing corruption is essential for promoting fairness, justice, and sustainable development.

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Countering Corruption is essential to fulfilling USAID’s mission of strengthening democratic societies, and advancing a free, just, and peaceful, world. To drive inclusive, sustainable, locally led development and safeguard our investments, USAID is making preventing and countering corruption a top priority. 

USAID’s anti-corruption work aims to  protect resources crucial for development and deliver on the promise of democracy as a system that works in the public interest.

Corruption undermines national security and the rule of law, stunts development and equitable economic growth, exacerbates the impacts of climate change and other shocks, and saps governments of legitimacy, eroding faith in democracy itself .  While systemic corruption remains a pervasive challenge within countries, it has also become a transnational threat that causes severe harm to communities and democratic institutions around the world. That is why USAID has placed countering corruption at the top of our development agenda . 

To tackle corruption, within countries and transnationally, and blunt corruption’s impact on development and democracy, USAID, through the Anti-Corruption Center (ACC) is taking concrete actions to mobilize broad-based coalitions and partnerships, galvanize collective action across sectors, elevate anti-corruption considerations in policy making, catalyze innovation and experimentation, and serve USAID and the broader community with cutting-edge and responsive technical leadership, support, and programming.

This includes:

• Expanding USAID’s efforts to address contemporary corruption threats to keep pace with the drivers, enablers, and manifestations of corruption today, especially transnational corruption. 
• Exercising holistic and responsive leadership to marshal USAID’s range of capabilities during pivotal moments for anti-corruption reform and backsliding.
• Countering corruption across sectors to prevent corruption that impedes development progress and tackle corruption from multiple angles.
• Forging new partnerships and coalitions to spur and sustain anti-corruption progress.
• Institutionalizing anti-corruption as a priority across the U.S. Government and USAID’s strategy, policy, and planning processes and frameworks.
• Safeguarding development and humanitarian assistance from corruption risk to preserve public resources for development, protect foreign assistance from diversion, and avoid unintended consequences of international aid.
• Anti-Corruption Policy : Through the Anti-Corruption Center, USAID is robustly supporting the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption , which emphasizes the transnational aspects of corruption and highlights opportunities to leverage foreign assistance to counter it. Consistent with the Strategy, USAID’s Anti-Corruption Policy solidifies the Agency’s emphasis on transnational corruption, grand corruption, and kleptocracy, while underscoring the need to build new partnerships to take on these contemporary corruption threats. 
• The Empowering Anti-Corruption Change Agents Program , which boosts the work of anti-corruption change agents and investigative journalists around the world who seek to detect and expose corruption, and empower them with the tools and coalitions needed to strengthen their reform campaigns, advocate for and demand change, operate in safety, and engage in collective and collaborative actions. 
• The Global Accountability Program , which strengthens the resilience of country systems to kleptocracy and transnational corruption - including by strengthening defenses and responses to illicit finance, money laundering, and strategic corruption - and enhances international cooperation and collaboration in preventing, mitigating, and responding to these challenges.
• The Countering Transnational Corruption Grand Challenge for Development , which builds coalitions and sources innovative solutions to curb the threat of transnational corruption in four main areas: illicit finance, trafficking in commodities, global supply chains, and public and private integrity. 
• The Anti-Corruption Response Fund , which enables USAID to support countries experiencing either anti-corruption backsliding, or windows of opportunity to test and pilot new means of tackling corruption, including by supporting implementation of Summit for Democracy commitments or innovating new approaches in line with USAID Anti-Corruption Policy.  
• Financial Transparency and Integrity Accelerator : As part of the second Summit for Democracy, USAID hosted an event to launch the Financial Transparency and Integrity (FTI) Cohort’s Pledge and Call to Action and announced the FTI Accelerator. The Accelerator  serves as the strategic umbrella for USAID to surge support for and ensure sustained progress on priorities identified by the Summit’s U.S. government-co-led FTI Democracy Cohort: implementation of  beneficial ownership requirements; transparent and accountable public procurement; and  addressing the professional “enablers” of corruption. 
• Integrity for Development Campaign : Through the Integrity for Development Campaign, USAID is working to increase donor resources for anti-corruption, especially in environments where the international community is making major development investments, such as in climate finance. This year-long campaign calls on bilateral donors and foundations to join forces with USAID and increase their investments in building integrity. 
• Global Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives : USAID is also enhancing support to critical multi-stakeholder initiatives that focus on anti-corruption, transparency, open government, and accountability, including by providing direct funding to and support  for implementation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
• Read Administrator Samantha Power’s remarks , “The Face of Modern Corruption,” at the International Anti-Corruption Conference Plenary Session.
• As referenced in Administrator Power’s June 7, 2022 speech , USAID launched a dekleptification guide —a handbook to help partner countries that aim to dismantle kleptocratic structures in transition periods when political will for reform is very high. 
• USAID also published the Guide to Countering Corruption Across Sectors —practical, practitioner-oriented guidance for USAID staff, implementers, and the broader anti-corruption community on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to address corruption through sectoral approaches. 
• To view these and additional anti-corruption tools, visit our resource page .

Administrator Power's Remarks at the International Anti-Corruption Conference

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• January 23, 2024

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• January 15, 2024

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For more information on USAID’s anti-corruption work, please contact the Anti-Corruption Center at [email protected] . 

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Speech on Corruption for Students and Children

Speech on corruption.

I welcome you all present here. I am here to present a speech on Corruption. By corruption, we mean that any dishonest or immoral behavior or activities that result in the gain of some powerful organization or people. Thus, corruption often results in loss to the weaker section of the society or organization. There are different forms of corruption. It includes extortion, nepotism, parochialism, bribery, patronage, cronyism, etc. Corruption may lead to human and drug trafficking, money laundering, police brutality, repression of opponents, etc.

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Forms of Corruption

A Bribe involves a payment made to any official for the exchange of use of his official powers. It involves two parties: the one who pays for any favor and the one who accepts the payment for official powers.

Influence peddling or trading in influence involves three parties to act. It means a person or organization selling their influence over the decision-making process so that a third party profits from it.

Favoring supporters (Patronage), favoring relatives (Nepotism) and favoring friends (Cronyism) of an official for private gain are forms of corruption. In these many incompetent people are leaders in the system over the able ones.

Illegal interference with the election process is Electoral fraud. The theft of entrusted public funds for personal benefit is Embezzlement.

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Effects of Corruption

Political effect: Corruption becomes a major roadblock for the rule of law and democracy. The political system loose its legitimacy when power is used for private advantage.

Economical effect: It depletes national wealth. The betterment of the communities and societies are compromised for the benefit of the profit of some officials, therefore, leads to the misuse of national resources.

Social effect: The community or society gives up trust in the system. This makes it even more challenging to remove corruption from the system.

Environmental effect: Corruption results in the degradation and exploitation of precious natural resources. This results in turbulence in the ecological systems.

Ways to fight Corruption

There are five ways of fighting corruption.

Effective law enforcement is the key to ensure the corrupt culprit is punished. For this purpose, we need a strong legal framework.

Steps focussing on improving financial management and strengthening the role of auditing agencies will help in curbing corruption. This will include transparent and participatory budgeting by local communities and local governments.

The tradition of government openness, freedom of the press, transparency, and access to information help in curbing corruption.

Strengthening citizens’ demand and empowering them to make government accountable is a great approach to build mutual trust between the government and the citizens.

The international financial system should be under the scanner to stop money laundering by corrupt officials. Hence, major financial institutes need to put a check to stop their banks and allied financial centers across the globe from accepting illegal flows of money.

To sum it up, Corruption is the biggest evil of any society. All necessary steps must be taken to eliminate this evil. Not only the ones with power but at times even the weaker section of the society tend to become a culprit in this.

I hope that from now on every individual will strictly oppose and prevent corrupt activities from occurring anywhere around us. Thus, this will ensure the complete socio-economic and political development of our society and country at large.

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Treasury official says budget assistance designed to help ukraine anti-corruption efforts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just back from a visit to Ukraine, a U.S. Treasury official on Tuesday described a country whose wartime economy has proven resilient in the face of Russia's invasion and said U.S. and allies' budget assistance is designed to help the nation combat corruption and increase transparency.

His comments come as Ukraine seeks to join NATO but has been blocked in part by political corruption scandals. Transparency International ranks Ukraine poorly, 122nd in its Corruption Perceptions Index of countries .

Brent Neiman, deputy undersecretary for international finance, said in a speech that Ukraine, which receives hundreds of billions in financial support from the U.S. and allied nations, needs to undertake reforms to “reduce the likelihood for conflicts of interest and corruption.”

Neiman, speaking to the Atlantic Council think tank, described positive macroeconomic signs including new business registrations, a shift in trade routes to the Danube river and train passenger levels that are back to pre-war levels.

Still, the National Bank of Ukraine's growth estimate for 2024 was recently downgraded to 3% Neiman says, and manufacturing facilities in concentrated areas are vulnerable to bombardment.

The U.S. has provided roughly $175 billion to Ukraine, according to the Council on Foreign Relations .

Neiman laid out recommended anti-corruption steps that Ukraine has taken, including having public office holders report their asset holdings, insulating Ukraine’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office from political pressure and improving corporate governance at state-owned companies.

“To be clear, I believe the U.S. and the international community should help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s barbaric attacks even if there were no scope for Ukraine to make these sorts of reforms," Neiman said. "Nonetheless, this is an important opportunity to help Ukraine do both.”

“To this end, budget assistance from the United States, Europe, and the International Financial Institutions is designed to help support Ukraine in undertaking a number of priority reforms.”

The European Union and NATO have demanded widespread anti-graft measures before Kyiv can realize its ambition of joining the blocs .

Ukraine has taken steps to root out corruption, and a dragnet over the past two years has seen Ukraine’s defense minister, top prosecutor, intelligence chief and other senior officials lose their jobs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2019, and both Zelenskyy and his aides have portrayed the recent firings of top officials, notably that of Ivan Bakanov, former head of the State Security Service, in July 2022, as proof of their efforts to crack down on graft.

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19th International Anti-Corruption Conference

Closing Plenary: Shaping the 2030 Agenda for Trust, Truth and Transparency

December 4, 2020

Mourad Wahba

UNDP Associate Administrator (a.i.); Regional Bureau for Arab States fr:Administrateur Associé a.i.; Bureau régional des pays arabes

Distinguished speakers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be here with you here in the closing plenary of the 19 th IACC.

I would like to congratulate the IACC Council, Transparency International and the Government of Republic of Korea, represented by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, for the great success of this year’s IACC, with more than 500 speakers, 120 workshops, and thousands of participants from around the world. I would also like to thank the partners of the IACC series, BMZ, GIZ, DANIDA, and the US Department of State.

This year’s IACC is taking place at a particularly critical time, as the world is experiencing the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up to 100 million more people are being pushed into extreme poverty in 2020, 1.4 billion children have been affected by school closures, and more than 1.4 million confirmed deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded . The pandemic is hitting all human development dimensions hard, in all countries, almost at the same time. And corruption is undermining our efforts to respond and recover.

However, despite the unprecedented shocks, countries have choices on how to build forward better, to a world that is greener, more resilient, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

To do so we must restore trust, defend the truth, and ensure transparency and integrity in political leadership, institutions, businesses and societies. We must strengthen the global fight against corruption. This is a fight that UNDP is deeply committed to, in its own operations, as well as in the support we provide to UN member states.

With this background, I would like to share some reflections in three key areas.

An integrated approach to anti-corruption for sustainable development

First and foremost, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we need an integrated approach, not only in crisis response and recovery, but also to building forward better for sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health, humanitarian, or socio-economic crisis. It is also a governance crisis, testing the resilience of governance institutions to respond to and recover from the crisis.

Where there are insufficient oversight and accountability measures during COVID-19, we see the impact of corruption being felt across healthcare services, policymaking, and the procurement of medical supplies and equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ventilators.

We also see the potential for mismanagement of funds destined for pandemic response, including the provision of social safety nets and economic stimulus packages.

Corruption is, of course, not just a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, it undermines all development efforts and depletes valuable resources for development financing. Estimates show that corruption costs developing countries US$1.26 trillion per year, while businesses and individuals pay an estimated US$1.5 trillion in bribes annually.

In the health sector alone, it is estimated that more than US$500 billion is lost to corruption annually, more than the total cost of global Universal Healthcare Coverage.

These lost resources could otherwise be used to ensure that everyone has the right to access basic services like health and education.

This is why we need an integrated and collective approach, with a mindset for cooperation and collaboration across public and private sectors, to ensure anti-corruption is a part of all development efforts – to build greener economies, eradicate poverty in all its forms, provide universal and inclusive healthcare and education, and build resilient institutions and societies. 

To support the international community’s efforts to address corruption challenges at global, regional and national levels, the United Nations system has developed a Common Position on Corruption, reflecting a common vision for UN support to Member States, and as a contribution to the 2021 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on corruption.

UNDP together with WHO, Global Fund and the World Bank have also set up the Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability (ACTA) for Health Alliance to support countries in mitigating corruption risks in the health sector, to reinforce our shared vision and integrated approach.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the 19 th IACC

This IACC has demonstrated the priorities and commitment of the global anti-corruption community in our collective action against corruption. During the week, there has been a wealth of discussion on topics related to truth, trust and transparency. We have taken stock together of global progress on anti-corruption across a spectrum of emerging challenges, including tackling corruption risks in our existential fight to protect our world against climate change and environmental degradation.

This IACC also focused on the use of digital technologies for anti-corruption efforts. We know that technology has incredible potential to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in public finance management, procurement processes and service delivery. New technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and big data analytics bring enormous opportunities to enhance anti-corruption efforts, but we need to prevent their misuse, and safeguard data protection and privacy. UNDP’s upcoming report on ‘New Technologies for Sustainable Development: From the perspectives of integrity, trust and anti-corruption’ highlights the need for effective digital governance, regulatory mechanisms and sustained investments in digital infrastructure, including efforts to bridge the digital divide.

The way forward: Moving from commitment to action to build forward better

As I wrap up, I would note that now is the time to move from commitment to action in our anti-corruption efforts, beyond recovery, towards 2030. In the last two decades, the global anti-corruption community has established global, regional and national anti-corruption commitments in the form of conventions, normative frameworks, legislation, and institutions, but there is much still to do to ensure that they are effective. We need to make these commitments more actionable and put in place effective mechanisms to hold stakeholders accountable.

Measuring the impact of anti-corruption initiatives and strategies is an important step. We need to collect more data, including on illicit financial flows, beneficial ownership issues, and strengthen our measurement of corruption itself.

We also need to ensure that we are collecting gender-disaggregated data, to understand the different perspectives and experiences of women and men.

And we need to strengthen the monitoring of SDG 16, as foundational to the integrated and indivisible vision of Agenda 2030.

In closing, I trust that the Seoul Declaration will truly reflect the essence of the IACC and our commitment and joint action in preventing and addressing corruption, as we look towards 2030.

Palestinian statehood is like DEI: both have a problem with Jews

Movements that claim to fight for justice must maintain their moral clarity, or risk encouraging corruption and even violence

The din around Palestinian statehood feels as uncomfortable as it does familiar. Not simply because statehood has been negotiated for so unbelievably long by so unbelievably many. But because the circumstances surrounding this latest stab at Arab sovereignty were born from circumstances of unimaginable violence and moral failure. 

Think of what it took to get to this point. The hundreds of Israelis dead and kidnapped; the thousands displaced from their homes. Or is statehood the prize for reframing this entire nightmare, so that Palestinians are positioned as aggrieved and entitled, much like the college protestors chanting on behalf of their disputed homeland. 

The truth is, while there may be little logic for progressive support for Hamas, the ideology behind statehood is something we’ve all seen before. In fact – across America’s corporations and campuses – we see it all the time: in the obsession with identity and representation; the reliance on coercion and bullying; and in the unyielding focus on equality of outcomes and achievements. Far removed from any real achievement – and armed with last week’s facade of officialdom – Palestinian statehood is now emerging as the global equivalent of diplomatic DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion). 

The playbook is clear. Take legitimate grievances – historic inequality in the US, geopolitical displacement over in the Levant – and weaponise them into movements powered by vast funding and abstract demands for power rebalancing and institutional change. Operating under dubious leadership, with scant accountability or oversight, DEI and Palestinian statehood privilege optics over accomplishment, representation and ritualisation ahead of historical fact.

This is why Spanish, Irish and Norwegian recognition was so important to the statehood crowd last week; much like the DEI metrics used to measure minority advancement, the goal here is quantifiable milestones.

Fueled by the cults of liberation and low expectations, both statehood and DEI are ideological machines rife with bloat, mismanagement and impunity. In the case of DEI, the numbers are particularly staggering. At just one company – Facebook-parent Meta, for instance – the global DEI strategist Barbara Furlow-Smiles pled guilty to stealing more than $4 million via an elaborate wire fraud scheme between 2017 and 2021. Over at Boston University, some $55 million has been poured into Ibram X Kendi’s Center for Anti-Racist Research, faced allegations of poor management and a massive downsizing operation last year, as reported by the New York Times.  

In the case of Palestine, the UN-backed refugee organisation UNRWA forms the nexus of the statehood swindle (in 2019, the leader of the organisation resigned amid allegations of corruption, with corresponding leaked documents leading to several European nations withdrawing their funding). Israel alleged that several employees of the organisation participated in Hamas’ October 7 massacre, claims Philippe Lazzarini (current commissioner-general of UNRWA) has denied. 

The money extracted by these “do-gooder” operations is intended to address another shared obsession: the pursuit of equity beyond any measure of reason. Palestinians, the logic goes, deserve a state because the Jews took their homes and made a state of their own. Nevermind Palestine’s original 1947 UN partition, which split the British Mandate into a larger Arab territory next to a small Jewish one, nor the Oslo Accords in 1994 or Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” nearly two decades later. All were rejected, much to the detriment of Arabs.

But like with DEI – where minority success only matters when it equals that of whites or men or heterosexuals – the Palestinians will only be satisfied with a state “equal” to that of the Jewish people. Ignore the fact that Gazans elected the terrorist group Hamas democratically – and that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is corrupt and dictatorial – Palestine must exist now , regardless of whether or not there are any credible leaders around to actually run it .

Neither Palestinian statehood nor DEI advocates are particularly concerned about performance. Failure to perform is what landed university presidents like former Harvard head Claudine Gay before Congress to explain their inability to keep Jewish students safe last year. Revelations of plagiarism and subpar hiring standards are what subsequently sent Gay packing. In the end, DEI provided an easy explanation (not necessarily the correct explanation) for why Harvard hired Gay in the first place. As shifts in college admissions, military readiness or corporate excellence suggests – DEI will always celebrate the bottom rather than lift it to the top.

Ultimately, what DEI and Palestinian statehood have most in common is also the easiest to overlook – a shared hatred of Jews. With its focus on race-based hierarchies and categorised grievances, DEI will always leave Jews in last place. Despite its noble intentions (and necessity), DEI cannot exist without victimhood, and victimhood cannot exist without perpetrators. And Jews have always served as history’s most maligned and idealised perpetrators – even as their accusers fail to articulate a crime. 

Statehood, of course, from the Palestinian perspective, has never maligned Jews more, what with those increasing calls for sovereignty “From the River to the Sea.” Even as Israel remains reluctant to embark on its own round of negotiations, pro-Palestine rhetoric appears more unwilling than ever to tolerate any Jewish presence in the Levant.  

“There is no longer a place for a two-state solution for any Palestinian,” declared Wissam Rafidi, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine at the three-day People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit this past weekend. “The only solution is one democratic Palestinian land which will end the Zionist project in Palestine.” That land, added Rafidi, could continue to feature rule by Hamas, which is “part of the resistance of the Palestinian people.” Look to October 7 to guess where this might end. 

For today, at least, with racism still a reality in America and chaos raging across the Near East, both DEI and a Palestinian State cannot be fully discounted. But with their overreliance on outcomes rather than effectiveness, each reveals the folly of a progressive extreme desperate for wins simply for the sake of winning. Yes, DEI and agitation over a right to statehood can be tools for achieving a fairer future for all. But without moral clarity and accountability, injustice can be the only outcome. 

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