$1 T paid in bribes yearly — UN body

MANILA, Philippines — Every year, $1 trillion is paid in bribes and an estimated $2.6 trillion is stolen through corruption, representing more than five percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported.

This prompted UNODC and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to call on people across the globe to join a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about corruption and take action against this crime.

Marking this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day, both also released the slogan “United against corruption, for development, peace and security” to urge governments, the private sector and the public to jointly tackle the issue.

Yury Fedotov, UNODC executive director, said “corruption has a catastrophic impact on societies (as) it stifles opportunities, denying vulnerable people access to infrastructure, and condemns them to lives of inequality and inequity.”

“If people are to be removed from poverty and economic growth promoted, the world must stand united against corruption,” Fedotov said, noting that the crime haunted successive generations and affected countless numbers of people.

He added that achieving this requires making determined use of the sharpest tools: universal adoption and full implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption.

To date, 183 states are parties to the Convention.

Emphasizing the need for further progress, Fedotov said that anti-corruption partnerships formed with the private sector, civil society and academe could ensure that everyone is united in ending corruption.

Anti-corruption is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It calls for substantial reductions in corruption as part of efforts to build peaceful and inclusive societies under Goal 16.

Activities marking International Anti-Corruption Day were carried out by UNODC field offices, civil society organizations, governments and individuals to raise awareness about corruption. Events focusing on anti-corruption efforts range from meetings with the press to commemorations as part of the wider public outreach.