SHARM EL-SHEIKH – Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Wali said the ninth session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the UN Convention against Corruption that kicked off in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh Monday is “a key international forum.”
Addressing the five-day’s gathering opening session, the minister said the event sends a message to the entire world that fighting corruption is a priority for all countries.
Wali also said this year’s session is being held amid various challenges. She pointed out that corruption, absence of transparency and unfair access to opportunities would lead to loss of large sums of money, amounting to billions, thus badly affecting development and enabling criminal groups.
She said the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration that will be issued by the conference will stress on the point that “now” its high time for the world to shoulder its responsibility towards fighting corruption.
Five heads of state will be delivering speeches via video conference during the event.
Fifty heads of government will be attending the event, including 30 in person. Also, 30 chairmen of anti-corruption authorities and representatives of 268 civil society organisations will be attending the conference.
The ninth session of COSP will also support efforts to restore public trust, strengthen effective institutions, promote sustainable development, recover with integrity from the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure economic and political stability.
The COSP is the main policymaking body of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. It supports States parties and signatories in their implementation of the Convention, and gives policy guidance to UNODC to develop and implement anti-corruption activities.
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