The United Nations (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on 9th December to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the UN convention on combating and presenting corruption.
- The Day highlights the role of every part of society – individuals, non-governmental organisations, law enforcement, governments and media persons in tackling the issue of corruption.
Theme of 2021 – “Your right, your role: say no to corruption”.
- The theme highlights the resources that were not available for the vulnerable and needy sections of the world due to corruption despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on 31st October 2003, which came into effect in 2005
ii.It is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument, with a majority of countries being party to the Convention.
- Responsibility of the convention – To ensure that adequate protections are granted to whistleblowers who raise their voice against corrupt practices.
Note – The UNGA declared 9th December as International Anti-Corruption Day in 2003.
Efforts to combat corruption
i.The UN has set up a Global Task Force on Corruption to reinforce a One-UN approach to support in combating corruption.
ii.It is co-chaired by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA).
About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Administrator – Achim Steiner
Headquarters – New York, United States
About UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Director-General UNODC – Ghada Fathi Waly (Egypt)
Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
About the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)
Under-Secretary-General – Rosemary DiCarlo
Established – 1992
Headquarters – New York, United states
