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Mr. Chairman,
I would like to thank the Secretary-General for providing us with
comprehensive reports on Agenda item 92 as well as the recommendations contained
therein;
2. My delegation would like to associate itself with the statement made by the
distinguished representative of Morocco on behalf of the G-77 and China,
Mr. Chairman,
3. Corruption including the problem of the transfer of funds of illicit origin
is an evil which threatens the peace and prosperity of societies across the
globe. It is a pervasive phenomenon which afflicts both the developed and the
developing countries. The degree of corruption and its impact, however, varies.
In many developing countries, it is a constant drain on their meager resources
and cause of further impoverishment and indebtedness.
4. In Pakistan, we have taken a number of measures to fight corruption and are
addressing both preventive and curative aspects of this problem. A process has
been set in motion, through the National Accountability Bureau, to ensure that
not only Government institutions and functionaries but also all elected
representatives and the private sector function in a transparent manner and
remain accountable to the people. To prevent corruption, measures have been
adopted which enhances transparency and accountability, effective implementation
of rule of law and regulation of financial system.
5. We, however, recognize that to combat the menace of corruption, action is
required both at national and international levels. One can not over emphasis
the need to take firm actions at the national level, but without firm supportive
action at the global level, the national efforts are not likely to achieve the
desired results. The international community must take action, particularly in
three areas.
Firstly, measures should be taken to prevent trans-national corruption through
denial of opportunities;
Secondly, effective mechanisms should be devised to repatriate the illegally
acquired money to the countries of its origin.
Thirdly, repatriation or prosecution of people indicted for corrupt practices in
their home countries who are residing elsewhere.
Mr. Chairman,
6. Pakistan firmly believes that the United Nations provides an appropriate
forum for initiating global action to address the menace of corruption and
transfer of illegally acquired fund. It was in this context that the President
of Pakistan in his address to the Millennium Summit, stated; “corruption is a
trans-national crime that calls for concerted international action. The United
Nations should call for banning the transfer of ill-gotten wealth and demand
cooperation in tracing and repatriating such funds”. With this spirit, Pakistan
strongly supported the initiation of negotiation on a United Nations Convention
against corruption. Our delegation in Vienna actively participated in the work
of the General Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee for the negotiation of the
Convention. We are pleased to note that after two-years of strenuous efforts,
the Ad-hoc Committee has successfully completed its work and finalized a draft
instrument. We are glade that the draft instrument finalized by the Adhoc
Committee enjoys the consensus of the United Nations membership.
7. We are now looking forward for the General Assembly to adopt this Convention
in this session so that the document could be opened for signature in a ceremony
to be held in Mexico later this year. We hope that with the signing of this
Convention, a new era of international cooperation to fight corruption leading
to the recovery of illegally acquired money and assets and their return to the
countries of origin will be ushered.
Mr. Chairman,
8. In our fight against corruption, we faced a number of problems, but nothing
more difficult than those relating to the international cooperation. We hope
that with the enforcement of the International Convention finalized by the Ad
hoc Committee of the General Assembly, the international cooperation will be
forthcoming. We would like the international community to support our efforts
through, inter alia, by;
Firstly, preventing easy access and safe heavens to illegally acquired money and
assets in the form of ‘Offshore Financial Centres’ (OFCs), “anonymous accounts”
and stringent “secrecy laws”. We believe that measures for the protection of the
right of privacy of individuals are important, but then so is the responsibility
for eradication of global corruption.
Secondly; assisting in investigation and prosecution of corruption related
offences and tracing and recovery of proceeds of corruption and of their
repatriation to the country of origin.
Thirdly; cooperating in issues relating to disclosure of information, integrity
in politics, corporate governance and transparency in, and sharing of
information on international monetary transactions.
9. Let me conclude by stressing on the importance of international cooperation
to combat corruption and return of illegally acquired assets to the countries of
origin by referring to the statement made by the President of Pakistan, in his
address to the 56th Session of the General Assembly. He stated;
“I appeal through this forum to all the developed countries to legislate against
deposits of ill gotten money, to assist in investigation against the looters and
to ensure the early return of the plundered wealth to the countries of their
origin. In fact I would not be far off the mark if I stated that with the return
of this looted money, many of the developing countries may be able to pay back
their debts and revive their economies”.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.