Pressemitteilung zur UNCAC-Konferenz in Jordanien

      UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE VIENNA (UNIS)


For information only - not an official document

                                                        UNIS/NAR/984
                                                    29 November 2006


MEDIA ADVISORY


High Level Jordan Conference to Review First Year of United Nations
                Convention Against Corruption

VIENNA,  29  November  2006  (UN Information Service) -- Countries which
ratified  the  United  Nations  Convention  against  Corruption will hold a
high-level  meeting  in  Jordan  from  10 to 14 December 2006 to review its
first  year in force and consider ways of stepping up international efforts
to fight corruption.

The  Convention, which came into force on 14 December 2005, is the first
legally  binding  international  anti-corruption  instrument.   So far, 140
States  have  signed  the  Convention  and  80  have  ratified it to become
full-fledged  States  Parties.  Turkey  and the Philippines were the latest
countries to come on board.

Corruption is one of the main obstacles to peace, stability, sustainable
development,  democracy  and  human  rights around the globe. No country is
immune to its effects.

Every  year, according to World Bank estimates, over $1 trillion is paid
in  bribes,  with  devastating consequences, particularly in the developing
world.   Corruption   diverts   resources   for   health,   education   and
infrastructure away from those who need it most.

The  Convention  addresses  corruption  in  both  the public and private
sectors.  It  requires  countries  to  criminalize  a  wide  range  of acts
including  bribery,  embezzlement  of  public  funds,  money-laundering and
obstruction of justice.

The  Jordan  Conference  will  focus  on  three  key  issues: monitoring
compliance with the Convention, asset recovery, and technical assistance to
build national capacity to combat corruption.

Monitoring  how  the Convention is implemented is key to translating its
principles  into  practice.  The Convention’s tough new provisions on asset
recovery  are  aimed  at  ensuring  that  the  vast  sums  of money lost to
corruption  are  traced,  confiscated  and  returned  to their countries of
origin.

Technical assistance is the cornerstone of efforts by the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime – the custodian of the Convention - to contribute
to  the  global  fight  against  corruption.  It  is aimed at ensuring that
police, prosecutors and judges are equipped with the appropriate tools.

Other  issues at the conference will include embezzlement, laundering of
the  proceeds  of crime, obstruction of justice and mutual legal assistance
between  countries  in gathering evidence for use in trials and extradition
proceedings.

The  Conference  of  the States Parties to the United Nations Convention
against Corruption will take place at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention
Centre on the Dead Sea from 10 to 14 December 2006.

It  will  be  opened  by  His  Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite
Kingdom  of  Jordan and attended by ministers, policy-makers, practitioners
and  representatives  of  civil  society  and the private sector. Up to 800
participants are expected.

All plenary meetings and side events will be open to the media.

Note:  Journalists should contact the Jordanian media focal point,  Issa
Abu  Sair,  to provide exact details of any equipment they may wish to take
with  them  as  certain  types  of equipment are not permitted in Jordan or
require special permission from the Jordanian authorities.