Statement By Secretary Clinton On International Anti-Corruption Day

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman

December 9, 2010

On behalf of Presbrident Obama and the people of the United States, I join with our partners around the world to recognize December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day. As we continue our common fight against corruption and recommit ourselves to the work ahead, we also recognize the significant achievements of the past year.

Last month, G20 Leaders adopted a landmark Anti-Corruption Action Plan to promote an open, rules-based environment worldwide. Implementing this plan will require cooperative efforts among our G20 partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The participation of emerging G20 economies is particularly important as they lay the foundation for generations of sustainable growth and prosperity.

The United States has made unprecedented strides over the past year to enforce our anticorruption laws and ensure our companies do not practice bribery or unfair practices in countries where they operate. This year, the States Parties of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) also launched a process to review implementation of the treaty. The United States is proud to be among the first nations to undergo a peer review, and we look forward to working with our partners in the UNCAC process to translate this global commitment to root out corruption from promise to practice.

Corruption stunts economic growth, damages confidence in democracy, and fosters a culture of graft and impunity that undermines the ability to operate in our interconnected world. Every country has a role to play as we work to advance our collective anticorruption agenda and institutionalize the highest standards of transparency. Together, we can ensure the integrity of our markets, improve our government institutions, and increase opportunity and prosperity for all our citizens.