Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2003, the Convention against Corruption tackles the scourge of corruption globally and affirms core values such as public accountability and transparency, honesty and respect for the rule of law.
The Convention calls for the criminalisation of corruption in both the public and private sectors; sets out standards, measures and rules countries can use to strengthen their legal and regulatory rules in their fight against corruption; identifies preventive measures; and requires member states to return assets acquired through corruption back to the country of origin.
Its purposes are:
a) To promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively;
b) To promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery;
c) To promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.
It complements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
