For information only - not an official document
UNIS/CP/1013
10 November 2017
Vienna, 10 November 2017 (UN Information Service) - It is a pleasure to address you as the Seventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption draws to a close.
My warmest congratulations to all of you for your tireless work and dedication over the last five days.
Your meeting will help strengthen anti-corruption efforts globally, and uphold the key principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.
If our goal is:
Then, with each passing COSP, we draw ever closer to this objective.
The resolutions passed in Vienna support this essential work, but serve to also highlight the broad range of your activities, and show the rich diversity of your discussions.
This session was the first COSP since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Because of corruption's links to other crimes, such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and wildlife crime, there is now a highly visible connection between our efforts under the Convention, and the UN's much wider work on the 2030 Agenda.
To conclude, I would like to express my congratulations and sincere gratitude to the President of the Conference, the Attorney General of Guatemala, Thelma Aldana.
Along with the other hardworking members of the Bureau, including the Vice-Presidents and the Rapporteur, you have performed your duties with energy and dedication.
Allow me also to thank the head of the Division for Treaty Affairs, John Brandolino, as well as Dimitri Vlassis, the Chief of UNODC's Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, who has done so much to help organize this conference.
A very special thanks to all UNODC/UNOV staff for all their own hard work and dedication during this week, and in the many months of preparations beforehand.
Tackling corruption has been given fresh energy and impetus by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Let me quote from the UN Secretary-General's message to this conference.
"… we need the full engagement and support of the business and financial communities. We need civil society to continue its valuable work. Most of all, we need young people to engage and to change minds and practices so that the corruption of today plays no role in the future."
I fully support the words of the UN Secretary-General: we cannot do this alone. Ending corruption will take everyone's commitment and determination.
We all have a duty to speak out against corruption wherever it occurs, so that the future is free of this poisonous crime.
As always, UNODC stands ready to support you. I wish everyone a safe return to your homes and to your families.
Thank you.
* *** *
For further information contact:
Katharina
Goetze
Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4949
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-4949
Email: katharina.goetze[at]unvienna.org
or
David
Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Phone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
