26 November 2013 - A new global campaign to commemorate International Anti-corruption Day, 9 December, kicked off yesterday in Panama under the theme
Zero Corruption - 100% Development. The 2013 advocacy campaign was announced by UNODC and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the two United Nations bodies leading global awareness campaigns against corruption since 2009.
The launch took place during for the Fifth Conference of State Parties of the UN Convention against Corruption, where more than 168 State parties are meeting this week to review implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov stressed that it would take everyone's voice raised against corruption to bring true success. "We need a robust and strong coalition of governments, business community, civil society, academia and media to resist corruption, and build a culture of prevention and integrity."
The head of the UNDP delegation in Panama, Patrick Keuleers, Director a.i. of the Democratic Governance group, added: "This campaign, which has reached millions of people in in last three years, puts a human face on the cost of corruption. If only 10% of the money lost from corruption is channelled back to development, it will be enough to achieve the MDGs by the 2015 deadlines."
The campaign aims to bring together people from all walks of society in the fight against corruption, serves as a global call for action against corruption and raises awareness about UNCAC. Taking back what is lost to corrupt leaders is everyone's responsibility - the International Day is observed the world over by governments and civil society organizations, the private sector and the media and the general public.
Campaign website : http://www.anticorruptionday.org/
