Summary: The United Nations Convention against Corruption was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003. The signing conference was held in the city of Mérida, Mexico, where more than 140 nations initially signed the first legally binding international agreement to fight corruption. The high level of support is an indication of the international commitment to implement a comprehensive strategy for this global problem.

Corruption, broadly defined as the use of public power in order to make private profit, is a big issue particularly in developing countries. Corruption has numerous negative effects: it distorts the economy by creating black markets and “informal economies”, reduces economic growth, and creates social tension. Corruption affects all nations because it is also linked with trans-border criminal activities, including drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

Key Terms: The Convention against Corruption prohibits forms of both active and passive corruption that occur in the public sector, like extortion and bribery.  It also focuses its efforts on the private sector, attempting to reduce the corruption of businesses that play large roles in national economies and governments.

Nations that ratify the convention are legally bound to: criminalize corrupt practices; develop institutions, such as anticorruption units, to prevent corrupt practices and to prosecute offenders; cooperate with other states to recover stolen assets; and help other nations in every aspect of the fight against corruption.

Status: The Convention against Corruption entered into force on December 14, 2005. As of March 2006, 47 nations of the initial 140 signatories have become parties to the convention. The United States originally signed the convention in Mexico, but has yet to ratify the agreement.

Status of US Compliance: In December 2004, the U.S. Department of State contributed $500,000 to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the agency under whose auspices the convention was negotiated, to support ratification and implementation of the Convention.

Links

Official Website of the Convention against Corruption - Treaty text, signatories, and other documentation.

 Utstein Anti-Corruption Resource Centre - An overview of the Convention against Corruption and various other resources on corruption. 

Updated March 17, 2006