– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

3 June 2021

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this high-level supporting event, held in line with the invitation by Member States in GA resolution 74/276.

This week, the General Assembly special session against corruption is convening stakeholders from around the world to build a more equal, just, and safer society. Today, our discussion will focus on addressing corruption in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corruption thrives in a crisis. Undetected or unaddressed criminal activity is often discovered at a critical moment. Far too often nefarious actors take advantage of a crisis for their own gain. For example, over the past year, those furthest behind have been hit the hardest as protection measures, vital services and equipment supplies fell short.

As governments begin to build back better we must incorporate preventative measures in all responses. Member States must be vigilant regarding the risk of corruption as we strive towards Vaccines for All and a swift economic recovery.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It would be naïve to underestimate the threat of illicit activity to such complex global roll-out effort. As vaccine manufacturing, allocation and distribution accelerate, it is essential that corruption does not impede the equitable availability and distribution of vaccines.

The integrity of our supply chains is critical not only in this regard, but also to prevent an even more ominous threat – the falsification of vaccines.

Moreover, it is essential that procurement processes are subject to strict oversight and monitoring in order to reduce the risk of corruption. An inaccurate demand for a particular product, the deliberate favouring of a producer, or the failure of a product to reach the purchaser could seriously jeopardise our ability to provide full, fair and effective access to vaccines for all.  

This would, of course, have the knock-on effect of hampering our economic recovery.

Trillions of dollars are being rapidly funnelled towards the recovery in order to meet the needs of the people we serve. While this is a much-needed economic stimulus, these funds must be utilized for their designated purpose and reach the intended beneficiary.

Thus, strict oversight and transparency in the form of auditing, accountability and reporting is required to prevent corruption from occurring. This should also include developing technology and open data to increase stakeholder participation in social auditing at all levels.

In addition, I urge all Member States to adopt robust legal, regulatory and policy frameworks and enforcement measures. Fiscal measures alone will not rebuild public trust at a time of unprecedented loss and suffering.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

No one country alone can eradicate corruption. Corruption requires a multilateral, whole-of-society approach to combat the threat it poses to peace and security, the rule of law, development, and human rights.

I trust that all Member States will prioritise multilateral efforts to combat corruption, not only during this special session of the General Assembly, but throughout this Decade of Recovery.

I thank you for participating in this important event, and I now hand you over to our esteemed Moderator for today’s discussion.