ICMM - International Council on Mining & Metals

NEWS

08.06.09
ICMM members call for stronger government support of the United Nations Convention against Corruption

Chief executives from some of the world’s leading companies - including ICMM members Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti and Newmont - have called on governments to more effectively and robustly implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Transparency International hailed this as “an unprecedented move”.

“Transparency and accountability are cornerstones to economic success. These CEOs have shown great leadership in supporting a review mechanism that truly works and we look forward to making the promise of this convention an anti-corruption reality”, said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.

The CEOs threw their support behind the world’s only universal anti-corruption instrument in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In it, they state that the document “holds the promise of curbing corruption and creates a level playing field for all participants in the global economy”.

They praised the Convention, describing it as “an essential instrument in the fight against corruption”, but they underlined the need for the establishment of an implementation review mechanism at the next Conference of States Parties to be held in Doha in November 2009.

The CEOs provided ideas on how the mechanism should work. They highlighted three factors: adequate and dependable long-term funding; country visits with peer reviewers from other countries; and a transparent process, with inputs from the private sector and other stakeholders, and with published reports.

"I deeply appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the corporate community in this critical matter," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in response to the letter by the CEOs. "The business advocacy for an effective review mechanism and the growing number of states adopting and implementing the Convention are evidence of a shared commitment to tackle corruption."

The United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in December 2003, has been signed by 140 countries and ratified by 136 to date.