Maravi

Commonwealth pledges to combat systemic corruption

Commonwealth pledges to combat systemic corruption
By George Chellah in Kampala, Uganda
Tuesday November 27, 2007 [03:00]

COMMONWEALTH heads of government have reaffirmed their commitment to combating systemic corruption at both national and international levels. And the heads of government encouraged member states to consider implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Commonwealth Expert Working Group on the Recovery and Repatriation of Assets of Illicit Origin.

According to the 2007 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Kampala communiqué, the heads of government expressed their enthusiasm to combating corruption and the tracing and recovery of assets of illicit origin.

“Recognising that extortion, bribery and corruption undermine good governance, respect for human rights and economic development, heads of government reaffirmed their commitment to combat systemic corruption at both national and international levels,” they stated.

“Heads of government urged member states which had not already done so to consider becoming parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). They acknowledged the on-going activities of the secretariat designed to build institutional capacity and awareness in member states so as to assist them with its implementation and enforcement.

“They also recognised the resolutions of the first conference of the states parties to UNCAC, which address asset recovery and international co-operation and affirm those twin pillars among principal objectives of the convention.”

The heads of government also stressed the importance of ending impunity for the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
They further took note of the work of the international criminal tribunals.

“Heads of government called on states to consider further contributions to the valuable work of the special court for Sierra Leone. Heads of government of those member countries that have ratified the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court emphasised their support for the court and urged those states that have not yet done so to accede to the Rome statute at the earliest opportunity,” they stated.

On trade, the heads of government expressed their commitment to constructive and meaningful engagement and called on all World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility.

“Heads of government recognised the fundamental contribution of international trade to global prosperity, sustainable development and to the elimination of poverty.

They acknowledged the core role of the WTO and emphasised the need to give priority to fuller participation of all Commonwealth members in multilateral trade as well as the critical importance of all countries obtaining a fair and equitable share of the gains of trade,” they stated.

They welcomed the continued global expansion of output and the improved growth performance of some developing countries in recent years.

“However, they noted that a significant number of developing countries, including many small states, have not been part of this trend and called for measures to address the special vulnerabilities of these economies,” they stated. “They also noted the risk factors that could affect future growth performance; the sub-prime crisis and the resulting reduction in available credit, high and increasing in oil prices, the prospect of increasing food prices, global macroeconomic imbalances, lack of progress in multilateral trade negotiations and increasing protectionism, and demographic changes in developed countries.

“Heads of government acknowledged the need to strengthen the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making and norm-setting and, in this regard, stressed the importance of continuing efforts to reform the international financial architecture, including the Bretton Woods institutions.”

On health, the heads of government urged the implementation of the political declaration on HIV and AIDS adopted at the 2006 UN general assembly high-level meeting on the disease.

“Heads of government reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of the health related MDGs, especially improving maternal and child health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases.

They acknowledged the need to invest in services and prevention tools, including vaccines and microbicides, to contribute towards the goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010,” stated the heads of government.

The heads of government also reaffirmed their decision to meet in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 at the invitation of the government of that country.

Labels: COMMON WEALTH, CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 9:10 AM