Doha, December 15 (QNA) - A new United Nations guide was launched during the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), currently being held in Doha from December 15 to 19.

The guide focuses on tackling corruption in conflict-affected environments, which is considered a key factor in achieving sustainable peace.

Alexandre Zouev, Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, said in a video address that corruption is not merely a byproduct of conflict and instability, but often a driving force that prolongs conflicts.

He emphasized that corruption undermines sustainable development, violates human rights, and erodes public trust in state institutions, warning that ignoring it in conflict zones jeopardizes peace, stability, and justice.

Zouev highlighted that UN peacekeeping environments often face high levels of corruption, affecting missions' ability to implement mandates effectively. He stressed that integrating anti-corruption measures into field operations is essential for rebuilding and supporting institutions with transparency, integrity, and accountability. He also noted that UN resident coordinators are increasingly expected to embed anti-corruption priorities into sustainable development frameworks.

John Brandolino, Acting Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said the UN system now has a real opportunity to strengthen support for post-conflict countries by embedding integrity, transparency, and accountability into peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts. He described the new guide as a practical step toward this goal.

Brandolino noted that UNODC has long collaborated with UN partners through joint anti-corruption task forces and field missions in countries including Haiti, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic, drawing lessons on integrating efforts on the ground.

The guide responds to member states' calls to enhance coordination across UN agencies, particularly in the areas of rule of law and anti-corruption in peacekeeping and peacebuilding contexts, as reiterated in several international forums, including the 2021 UN General Assembly special session on anti-corruption.

The launch underscores the UN's commitment to promoting integrity as a central pillar of peace, in line with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' 2023 vision for strengthening the rule of law, national capacity-building, and anti-corruption measures globally.

Brandolino said the newly launched UN guide is fully aligned with the global Action for Peacekeeping framework, which enjoys broad international membership and is grounded in clear international commitments.

He explained that the guidance is based on real field experience and lessons learned from UN work in complex conflict environments, giving it a practical and actionable character. He noted that the guide offers encouraging examples of comprehensive initiatives that link peace support with the promotion of integrity, including corruption prevention, the empowerment of women and youth, and engagement with the private sector — all of which he described as essential for achieving lasting impact.

He added that the document has been designed as a precise and balanced tool for UN leadership and field teams, stressing the importance of conveying its key messages to UN bodies responsible for peace and security, as well as to Member States in New York.

Brandolino welcomed the participation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the discussions, particularly as it prepares to take up a seat on the UN Security Council, expressing hope for strengthened cooperation in this vital area. He called for the guide's principles to be applied at both strategic and operational levels within UN missions, emphasising that it should serve as a starting point for discussion and adaptation to national and field-specific contexts.

Reaffirming UNODC's role as the UN system's lead entity on anti-corruption, Brandolino pledged continued coordination and support to ensure the success of these efforts, expressing his commitment to working collectively to entrench peace on the foundations of integrity and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, HE Justice Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guillaume Ngefa, said corruption linked to the illicit exploitation of natural resources has been a core driver of conflict in his country for more than three decades. He stressed that achieving lasting peace requires confronting the problem directly and decisively.

His Excellency said illegal resource exploitation has financed armed groups, enabled serious human rights abuses, undermined peacekeeping efforts and weakened successive peace agreements over the past 30 years. He concluded by underscoring that the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot break the cycle of violence without a comprehensive approach that tackles corruption at its roots, strengthens the rule of law and ensures the country's wealth is used to support peace and development. (QNA)