In the last decade, anti-corruption has been one of the fastest growing service areas globally. This has been due to the near-universal ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) by 187 countries (as of 6 February 2020) and the growing importance of governance and anti-corruption in enhancing sustainable development.
Corruption impedes progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and undermines effective development cooperation and financing for development. Anti-corruption acts as an accelerator to achieve the SDGs, all of which rely on effective, transparent and inclusive governance mechanisms and institutions to meet the needs of all people.
The biennial International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) is the premier anti-corruption advocacy and networking forum in the world. It brings together approximately 2000 people – political leaders, heads of state, officials, anti-corruption activists, development actors and representatives of private sector – to discuss issues, share and inspire ideas, exchange lessons learned and devise a way forward to address corruption, and promote transparency, accountability and integrity.
The conference is organized by the IACC Council and Transparency International in collaboration with the government of the host country. The first conference was held in 1983 in Washington DC and subsequent conferences were held every two years under a new theme. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a partner of the IACC Series since 2003.
On 9th December, we commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD). Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. No country, region or community is immune to this crime. The joint United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) global campaign ‘United Against Corruption’ focuses on corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
