Regional Event on “The Future of Anti-Corruption and Integrity Reforms in Arab Countries in Light of Agenda 2030”

Organized by: UNDP in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

On the International Anti-Corruption Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) announced a new partnership that will support anti-corruption and integrity efforts in the Arab States region. It will enable stakeholders to develop and implement required laws in line with international standards; institutionalize corruption prevention in priority government sectors to enhance the effectiveness of public administration; and mobilize knowledge and capacities to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 focusing on “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”. This new partnership will benefit stakeholders across the region over the next four years, giving priority to 7 countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.
“Our new partnership with KOICA will allow UNDP to significantly expand its cooperation with countries in the region and support their efforts to comply with the UN Convention against Corruption,” stressed Susanne Dam-Hansen, acting Director of UNDP’s Regional Hub for Arab States based in Amman. “This work is critical to the region’s pursuit of fulfilling the promise of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its 17 goals.”
Building on results that UNDP achieved on anti-corruption and integrity in the Arab countries over the past decade, the new regional project allows KOICA and UNDP to engage more than 5,000 beneficiaries, from governments, civil society and the business community to open new horizons for progress in accordance with national priorities, and with the ultimate aim of contributing to better development results.
Ms. Kim Hyo-jin, Country Director of KOICA Jordan Office highlighted in her remarks “corruption threatens and undermines democratic institutions, adversely affects governmental instability and slows down economic development,” and affirmed that “Republic of Korea is pleased to join the global movement against corruption and we look forward to working closely together to achieve more transparent societies keeping the sustainable development goals of 2030 at the apex.”
To inaugurate their partnership, UNDP and KOICA convened a regional expert panel to deliberate the future of anti-corruption and integrity reforms in the region in light of the 2030 Agenda, with participation of senior public officials, prominent experts and civil society representatives from 8 Arab countries.
Against the backdrop of rising public demands for more decisive action against corruption, participants shared experiences, lessons learned and good practices at national, regional and international levels, exploring the links with sustainable development efforts that “leave no one behind.”
They highlighted the disproportionate impact that corruption has on the poor and marginalized groups, especially women and youth, calling for stronger laws and more consistent implementation efforts. They also stressed the value of integrating early detection systems in all sectors and making use of modern technologies to reduce the risks of corrupt practices. Participants also recognized that more efforts are needed to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies and judicial and audit bodies and called for wider public participation in reform efforts.