Statement by Mr. Masatoshi Abe

Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan

His Excellencies, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here at the High-Level Political Signing Conference for the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Corruption is becoming more serious internationally and this Convention is a historical step in the global fight against it. I extend my gratitude to the United Nations, the Government of Mexico, and people of the city of Mérida, who have made this conference possible. I also extend my gratitude for the unparalleled efforts of those who have been involved in the negotiation of this Convention. I would especially like to mention the late Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of the Convention, Dr. Hector Charry Samper, for his devotion in completing this task. We were all greatly saddened at his sudden death last September just before the conclusion of the negotiations.

Corruption and its extensive consequences can hinder the prosperity of a nation by neutralizing the transparency of the decision-making process of its government and by obstructing the functioning and growth of good governance. Corruption is the enemy of nation building, and its dominance impedes ownership of civil society and institutions. Corruption also impedes the effective utilization of resources including those derived from development aid and affects international cooperation partnerships. For these reasons, the international community must, as a whole, promptly implement coherent policies to eradicate corruption.

This Convention is an epoch-making one and serves as a basis for a comprehensive legal framework to tackle urgent issues of international society in a unified manner. It also serves as a vehicle to promote anti-corruption policies, especially in those countries where measures against corruption are not necessarily sufficient. Corruption must not be allowed to have a "safe heaven". A global network against corruption, like the one that exists against international organized crime, can help prevent this.

This conference is only a first step. Each country now has the urgent task of establishing systems of cooperation among, countries in order to effectively implement the Convention both at national and international levels. At the same time, it is important to establish broad systems of cooperation at the level of civil society, including ordinary citizens, while implementing the effective law enforcement and comprehensive preventive measures aimed for in this Convention. This Convention can serve as a guideline for building an appropriate domestic legal system and for promoting international cooperation.

Recognizing the seriousness and pervasiveness of corruption, which strongly encumbers the development of a country, Japan has been actively committed to discussions on the formulation of the Convention since the start of the negotiations. In passing, I would like to mention that anti-corruption policy was also one of the major themes of the G8 Summit held this June and the Convention was one of the goals agreed on by the G8 in its declaration "Fighting Corruption and Improving Transparency".

Over the last decade, Japan has provided about twenty percent of the total Official Development Aid in the world. As a major donor country, Japan recently revised its ODA Charter this August and reaffirmed that one of its basic policies is to support developing countries' self-help efforts for growth by means of good governance. For the effective implementation of official aid, the revised ODA Chapter ensures the transparency of the activity-selection and implementation process and prevents fraud, corruption, and the improper diversion of aid.

In addition, Japan is the host-country of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI). The Institute helps establish a basis for international cooperation by addressing issues relating to criminal justice, and as such also contributes to anti-corruption efforts.

Japan will continue to play an active role in securing worldwide implementation of the content of this Convention.

We come together today, united once more in our decision to tackle corruption together. We must now make it our task to realize the early entry into force of the Convention. I would like to conclude by stating my personal commitment to work hand in hand with the people concerned with the Convention, including those of you who are here today, to bring about a real solution to the problems of corruption.

Thank you.