For information only - not an official document
UNIS/SGSM/688
2 November 2015
Delivered by Mr. Yury Fedotov, Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna
and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
ST. PETERSBURG/VIENNA, 2 November 2015 (UN Information Service) - I am pleased to send greetings to this important conference, and I thank the Russian Federation for hosting it.
In September, world leaders met in New York to endorse the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In doing so, they pledged bold action to promote peace, prosperity and lives of dignity for all.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain the promise of a better collective future for people and planet, and they address the potential challenges that can impede our progress. One such threat is highlighted in Goal 16, which calls for substantial reductions in corruption and bribery in all its forms.
Across the globe, corruption and bribery devastate lives. No country is immune; everyone suffers. The malicious impact of corruption makes people's lives more expensive; it erodes consumer confidence and business credibility; it depletes public funds and destroys prospects for a fair society. Corruption also facilitates other crimes, including human and illegal wildlife trafficking, and terrorism.
To achieve the new development agenda, we must end corruption and bribery. Public-private partnerships will be essential in this fight. To reject corruption, every sector of society must act together, including government bodies, civil society, the media, young people and businesses.
Every nation's ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption is essential to forging this cooperation. Our ultimate goal must be to turn hands thrust out in hope of payment into hands joined together against this pernicious crime. Let us forcefully convey the message that when bribes are paid, everyone counts the cost.
All of us have a reason to eliminate corruption and to create societies founded on justice, fairness and the rule of law. The world counts on you to take bold decisions and act decisively to strengthen the global fight against corruption and bribery.
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