International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on December 9 every year since 2005 to raise awareness against the global issue.
The United Nations, which officially endorses International Anti-Corruption Day, says that this political, social and economic phenomenon slows down economic development, undermines the sanctity of democracy and adds to governmental instability.
The UN also lists corruption as one of the “biggest” hurdles to achieving its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It notes that although corruption exists in and affects both rich and poor nations, it hurts poor people disproportionately.
How did International Anti-Corruption Day come into place?
In October 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention against Corruption. After this, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was designated as the secretariat for the Convention’s Conference of States Parties.
The assembly then designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day.
What comes under corruption?
The UN convention overlooks at multiple forms of corruption including:
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Embezzlement
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Trading in influence
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Abuse of functions
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Bribery of foreign public officials, national public officials and officials of public international organisations
Aim
Apart from raising awareness against the crime, the aim of the day is also to actively support campaigns that combat and prevent corruption. Through this day, the UN also seeks to support international cooperation to fight against corruption.
Data Speaks
In 2018, UN Secretary-General António Guterres had said that the global cost of corruption is at least $2.6 trillion, which is 5 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP).
He highlighted that according to the World Bank, businesses and individuals pay more than $1 trillion in bribes every year.
