Doha, December 14 (QNA) - The "HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award (ACE)" has succeeded in shining a spotlight on inspiring models of leadership and integrity worldwide, bolstering the conviction that corruption can be and must be uprooted, said HE Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Alexandre Zouev.
Speaking at the ceremony of crowning winners of ACE in Doha, Zouev stressed that the State of Qatar is a global role model in supporting the rule of law and strengthening integrity and combating corruption both on the regional and global stages.
Having participated in this global event on behalf of the UN, Zouev extended his thanks and gratitude to the State of Qatar and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center (ROLACC) for hosting this consequential event. He praised HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's efforts in launching this global award roughly ten years ago.
HE Zouev delved into the nexus between terrorism and corruption, stressing that terrorism still poses a perilous threat to global peace and security, and mostly feeds on organized crime, illicit trafficking, and corruption.
UNOCT literally aspires to boost cooperation with Qatar and ROLACC in Doha, alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as part of the joint efforts between counter-terrorism, enforcing the rule of law, and combating corruption, he underlined.
In addition, Zouev outlined that corruption still interlocks with organized crime and cross-border illicit activities due to its profound impact on blunting communities' confidence in their institutions, weakening state structures, and violating human rights, with uneven impact on women and young people, particularly in conflict-battered zones.
He noted that the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), even after twenty years since its adoption, remains the sole binding global document dedicated to combating corruption, highlighting that all countries hosting UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions are parties to the Convention, and that a significant number of them have completed the implementation review mechanisms and benefited from targeted technical assistance programs.
Zouev cited what the UN Secretary-General emphasized in 2018 regarding the imperative for peacekeeping operations to incorporate a clear anti-corruption perspective to enhance accountability and deepen the rule of law.
Addressing corruption constitutes a core element in tackling the root causes of conflicts and achieving sustainable peace, he outlined, clarifying that the UN continues to support this approach through the Global Task Force on Corruption across its system, and through the joint stance on addressing corruption on the global stage.
Zouev pointed out that the new vision of the UN Secretary-General on the rule of law reaffirms the UN commitment to promoting rule of law assistance and building the essential capacities to prevent and combat corruption.
He emphasized that the management of peace operations, in collaboration with UNODC and other partners, continues its efforts to strengthen justice, good governance, and accountability, noting that a new joint practical guide titled Achieving Peace through Integrity by Addressing Corruption in Conflict-Affected Cities will be launched.
The recently adopted Charter of the Future underscores the joint determination of the UN and its member states to combat illicit financial flows, corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion, while underscoring the importance of removing safe havens and recovering and returning stolen funds to serve the public interest, he evinced.
Zouev noted that progress in this field requires strong partnerships with governments, international organizations, civil society, and academic institutions, reaffirming that ACE not only pays tribute to the tremendous anti-corruption efforts, but reminds all of their shared responsibilities to build fairer and more accountable communities. (QNA)