Press Release

9 December 2006

UK calls for more action to fight corruption

corruption graffittiThe UK will be looking for agreement on better handling of corrupt assets in the international system when it meets international partners at a UN anti-corruption conference.

The inaugural Conference of States Parties to the external linkUN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) takes place from 10-14 December in Jordan and will aim to agree further steps to fight the scourge of corruption.

The UK will also be pushing for greater emphasis on measures to prevent corruption, better international law enforcement cooperation and proposals to oversee the Convention’s effective implementation.

Speaking on external linkInternational Anti-Corruption Day (9 Dec) Foreign Office Minister, Ian McCartney said:

“It is fitting that the eve of this Conference is international anti-corruption day. Governments serious about fighting corruption now have an opportunity to sit down with one another and agree how we can work to reduce the corruption that undermines economic development, limit spending on health and education and hits the poorest people hardest. This is a key priority for the British Government.”

“We are pleased that the UK has succeeded in securing the necessary support for our Jordanian hosts in organising the Conference. And we are delighted that we are sponsoring the participation of twenty civil society representatives from fourteen developing countries. Our own experience shows the value of contributions to this debate by non-government actors.”

International Development Secretary and Ministerial champion for tackling overseas corruption, Hilary Benn said:

“Tackling corruption wherever we find it – whether here or abroad – is essential. We will not tolerate those who extort, corrupt and deceive. Together we can make progress and by strengthening the institutions of government, promoting better transparency and accountability and giving a voice to those who are hit hardest by corruption – the world’s poorest – we can make a difference.”

“I welcome the efforts to implement the UN Convention against Corruption. It will enable countries to co-operate with each other in every aspect of the global fight against corruption. It is a great step forward - 140 countries have signed the Convention so far and 81 have ratified. Now we have to make it work and help others to make it work.”

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Notes to Editors

1. UNCAC is the first global anti-corruption instrument that addresses prevention, criminal law enforcement, international legal co-operation, asset recovery and monitoring. Each signatory must establish effective anti-corruption practices. Under the Convention signatories agree to co-operate with one another in every aspect of the global fight against corruption.

2. The UK ratified the Convention in February 2006, the 46th country to have ratified and the second G8 country to do so. Countries signing up to the convention must establish effective anti-corruption practices and agree to co-operate with one another in every aspect of the global fight against corruption. These include the prevention, investigation and prosecution of offenders, and better handling of asset recovery.

3. UK law became fully compliant with the convention when the external linkCriminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (Enforcement of Overseas Forfeiture Orders) Order 2005 pdfcame into force on the 31 December, and the external linkProceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 came into effect on 1 January 2006.

4. The UK delegation at the Conference will be led by HM Ambassador to Jordan, James Watt. Other representatives from the FCO will also be there, along with colleagues from DFID and the Crown Prosecution Service, as well as the Attorneys General from the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

5. In addition, the FCO is funding attendance by 20 civil society representatives from 14 developing countries to broaden the spectrum of opinion. DFID has given US$100,000 to help the Jordanian government to pay for the Conference and we have mobilised the donor community to make up the shortfall in requirements.

6. In June this year, The Prime Minister appointed Hilary Benn as Ministerial champion for addressing international corruption. The new role, complementing Mr Benn’s position as International Development Secretary, sees him working with other Ministers across government to tackle corruption wherever it threatens to undermine the fight against poverty.

7. The UK's anti corruption action plan to tackle international corruption focuses on improving international efforts to fight corruption, investigating and prosecuting foreign bribery, eliminating money laundering and recovering stolen assets, and promoting responsible business conduct.

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