Statement of the Asian Development Bank
High-level
Political Conference for the Purpose of Signing the United Nations Convention
against
Corruption
Mr. President, Delegates, Colleagues,
On behalf of the Asian Development Bank, it is a pleasure to
be here. We appreciate the breadth of coverage in the Convention against Corruption.
We wish to express our gratitude to
On corruption, malfeasance and misuse of scarce resources,
whether in the public or the private sector, hinders economic and social development.
Studies have shown that in
Improved governance, including anti-corruption efforts, is
a cornerstone of the Asian Development Bank's overall strategy for reducing
poverty in
On international and regional efforts, two activities stand
out. First is our partnership with the OECD in supporting the development
and implementation of the Anti-corruption Action Plan for Asia-Pacific. Twenty-one
developing and developed countries have endorsed this action plan and are
making progress in meeting milestones for anti-corruption measures. These
countries met for the fourth time in
At the national level, we are engaged in governance and anti-corruption
issues with all 37 borrowing member countries of the ADB. In addition, we
have a number of national and regional efforts in related areas, including
corporate governance, rule of law, and fiscal management.
At the institutional level, the ADB has been looking within
to ensure that ADB supported programs and projects are free from corruption.
In the past five years, we have strengthened capacities and management systems
within the ADB and in our projects. We have trained national government staff
on international procurement and contracting procedures, increased the level
of project auditing, and strengthened ADB resident office capacities. We have
increased our cooperation with other multilateral development banks and international
organizations, including conducting joint investigations and endorsing uniform
standards for investigations. The Bank's management has also given a clear
message that the highest ethical standards are expected of staff and contractors,
and that nothing less will be tolerated.
In conclusion, we appreciate the leadership of the UN in bringing
together the nations and bodies represented here. We look forward to increased
involvement of the world community in ending the waste and misuse of public
and private resources for development. We will continue to give priority to
supporting the anti-corruption efforts of our developing member countries
as they pursue better governance, and to working with UN and regional bodies
in setting standards and measuring results.
Thank you.