Statement of the Head of the Delegation of Nepal Rt. Hon'ble Surya Nath Upadhyay Chief Commissioner, Commission For the Investigation of Abuse of Authority made during the signing of the UNConvention against Corruption.

Date-11 December 2003

Hon'ble President,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentleman.

On behalf of the Nepalese delegation and on my own, may I join the ranks of the previous speakers in congratulating you, Hon'ble President, on your election to the chair of a conference the importance of which is momentous and full of portents to the sustainability of the very fabric which holds our hopes and aspirations for a better world together. The importance of the occasion is fully matched by the beauty and splendor of the venue. I also want to express our sincere gratitude to the people and government of Mexico for the warmth of their hospitality.

This conference sees the end of a journey we embarked upon together on 4th December 2000 vide resolution 55/61 of the United Nations. The document we have in front of us reflects a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach and incorporates various elements designed to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption, both at the national and international level, in an erective and efficient manner. The hard work and unstinting efforts of the member countries and the United Nations staff has finally fructified in the text of the United Nations convention against corruption. Nepal right from the very beginning took interest and participated in the negotiating conferences in Vienna and worked together with other countries. That the text was agreed upon and finalized by all concerned in a period of less than two years reflects the urgency attached by the international comity of nations to devise a mechanism to prevent and fight corruption as it threatens to infect and undermine institutions and various other aspects of human efforts and behavior. It is a matter of great pride for all of us. I congratulate and salute all concerned for this singular achievement.

In my own country, Nepal, in recent years, the need to prevent and combat corruption has been very high on the agenda for action of the entire nation including the government, the civil society and the public in general. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority ( CIAA) an independent constitutional body with all the attributes of independence and authority has been spearheading the drive against corruption. His Majesty's Government of Nepal has also brought into operation an Action Plan against Corruption as an integral part of governance reform. Corruption, if left unchecked or untracked at the political and other high decision making levels, pollutes the whole system of governance. We have initiated major operations against corruption and never before were so many politicians and bureaucrats brought to the books as they have been in the present days. If there was an air of impunity and arrogance in the behavior pattern of those at the highest level in the past, this has been significantly reduced at present. However, the road ahead is still daunting and we hope to make significant inroads in our fight against corruption through international help and cooperation as well.

Mr. President,

My delegation believes that we stand at the threshold of a momentous change in our efforts to build a better and more prosperous global community by preventing corruption in its various forms and manifestations at different levels and strata of our community. Corruption has been the bane of many a societies and civilizations. Humanity has progressed ahead simply by learning through past mistakes and experiences. The present Convention reposes its faith in our collective efforts and wisdom. Acceptance of and adherence to the United Nations Convention against Corruption will be a historic step in the fight of humanity against corruption. All conventions and commitments are meaningful only when they are actually practiced in the relevant fields. I am confidant that working jointly at international level, this convention shall be instrumental in combating corruption. At this juncture, may I also propose that the United Nations should through its technical assistance and other possible assistance continue to advice and help in bringing this convention to its application within and outside the jurisdiction of a particular country when it comes to the issue of cross frontier dimensions of corruption particularly in regard to exchange of information, judicial assistance and recovery of assets. I feel deeply honored and privileged to have the opportunity of signing the Convention on behalf of His Majesty's Government of Nepal.

Thank you.