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CEOs call for
greater adherence to UN anti-corruption Convention
Accra, May 12, Ghanadot/GNA - Chief
Executives from some of the world’s leading companies have
called on governments to more effectively and robustly implement
the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
In a letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the CEOs
threw their support behind the world’s only universal
anti-corruption instrument, stating that it “holds the promise
of curbing corruption and creates a level playing field for all
participants in the global economy”.
They praised the Convention, describing it as “an essential
instrument in the fight against corruption”, but they underlined
the need for the establishment of an implementation review
mechanism at the next Conference of States Parties to be held in
Doha in November 2009, a statement issued in Berlin and
forwarded to the GNA said.
The letter was written at the invitation of the four global,
multi-industry anti-corruption initiatives addressing the
corporate sector: the International Chamber of Commerce,
Transparency International, the United Nations Global Compact,
and the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption
Initiative (PACI).
“Especially now, in a period of deep financial and economic
turmoil, an effective implementation review mechanism is
essential. The economic crisis will inevitably place severe
strains on worldwide competition, threatening an erosion of
ethical standards that will be hard to reverse”, they warned.
They cautioned that any further delay in establishing an
effective review mechanism (as called for in the Convention)
“would damage the credibility of the Convention and its ability
to build momentum in overcoming corruption”.
“Transparency and accountability are cornerstones to economic
success. These CEOs have shown great leadership in supporting a
review mechanism that truly works and we look forward to making
the promise of this convention an anti-corruption reality”, said
Huguette Labelle, Chair, Transparency International.
The CEOs provided ideas on how the mechanism should work. They
highlighted three factors: adequate and dependable long-term
funding; country visits with peer reviewers from other
countries; and a transparent process, with inputs from the
private sector and other stakeholders, and with published
reports.
"I deeply appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the
corporate community in this critical matter," said UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in response to the letter by the
CEOs.
"The business advocacy for an effective review mechanism and the
growing number of states adopting and implementing the
Convention are evidence of a shared commitment to tackle
corruption."
The United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in
December 2003, has been signed by 140 countries and ratified by
136 to date.
GNA
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