News: December 9 is observed as the International Anti-Corruption day
Facts:
About International Anti-Corruption Day
- Anti-corruption Day is celebrated annually since 2005 when the United Nations Convention against Corruption came into force.
- The day aims to raise awareness about corruption and of the role of Convention in fighting and preventing it.
- The theme for 2019 Anti-Corruption Day is ‘United against Corruption’. It focuses on corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Further, a campaign called #YouthForJustice has been launched which focuses on mobilizing and empowering youth as a key for ensuring sustainable solutions to combating corruption.
Additional Information:
Sustainable Development Goal 16: Promote a just, peaceful and inclusive societies
- SDG 16 is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building accountable institutions at all levels.
- SDG 16.5 calls to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
- It is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. It was adopted in 2003 and came into force in 2005.
- It covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector.
- The Convention covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) serves as Secretariat for the UNCAC
- India is a party to the Convention.
About UNDP:
- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network.
- UNDP was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. It is headquartered in New York, US.
- It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with the increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.
About UNODC:
- UNODC was established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
- UNODC is mandated to assist the Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.
