Tehran, Oct 04: Work on a United Nations treaty to combat corruption worldwide, which includes provisions for returning of assets obtained through bribery and embezzlement to the country of origin, has been completed. "The convention can make a real difference to the quality of life of millions of people around the world," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a message to ad hoc committee in Vienna drawing up the treaty.
"It is particularly heartening that you were able to complete this process in less than two years," he said of the convention which will be put to a ministerial signing conference in Merida, Mexico, on December 9-11.
Once adopted the treaty will enhance cooperation between governments and help standardize the way in which individual countries deal with corruption in their national legislation.
The requirement for member states to return assets obtained through bribery and embezzlement to the country represents a new fundamental principle in international treaties.
According to UN information centre, the preventive measures in the convention include norms of conduct of public officials, greater transparency based on public access of information on government businesses and stricter procurement regulations and measures against money laundering. Bureau Report