Summary: 21 October 2009, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Fredrika Ornbrant, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, at the Second Committee Debate on the introduction of items 55b "Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of assets of illicit origin and returning such assets, in particular to the countries of origin, consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption" and 55c "Science and technology for development", United Nations
Mr. Chairman/Madam Chairperson,
I am honored to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman/Madam Chairperson,
The European Union would firstly like to address corruption, which constitutes a fundamental obstacle to good governance and sustainable development. The ongoing fight against corruption at all levels is a priority. Like it was underlined in the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development, the EU, like the other member states is determined to take urgent and decisive steps to continue to combat corruption in all of its manifestations in order to reduce obstacles to effective resource
mobilization and allocation and avoid the diversion of resources away from activities that are vital for development. The EU stresses the need to promote fundamental principals such as good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability to prevent corruption and transfer of assets of illicit origin. This requires strong institutions at all levels, including, in particular, effective legal and judicial systems and enhanced transparency.
Four years ago, an important tool in the fight against corruption entered in force, the United Nations Convention against Corruption. It is the first global and legally binding instrument on the subject. To date, 141 countries have ratified the Convention, which illustrates the determination of the international community in the fight against corruption, and the EU in this regard, urge all States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Convention. Now the paramount
challenge is to develop a robust mechanism to assist State Parties in their effective implementation of the Convention. Further efforts are required in order to ensure that an a strong and effective mechanism will be adopted at the third session of the Conference of State Parties which will take place in Doha in November this year. The European Union attaches great importance to this session and is committed to work towards a successful outcome. A successful Review Mechanism is a matter of
credibility for the UN System, the Convention, and all States Parties.
The EU welcomes the progress made in the field of assert recovery in particular through the joint UNODC World Bank initiative Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative and will continue to support its further development.
Mr. Chairman/Madam Chairperson,
With regard to agenda item 55 b on Science and Technology for Development, the EU considers the projects and initiatives conducted by the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and UNCTAD and their joint work highly relevant.
The EU attaches great value to opportunities and support that help bridge the digital divide, assist developing countries to establish R&D initiatives and promote access, development and diffusion of technologies and know-how. The EU also prioritizes the investment in national universities and science and technology. In this context, substantial loss of human capital within developing countries could be circumvented with the creation of domestic opportunities. Through EU-Africa Strategic
Partnership, agreed on in December 2007, up to €63 million will be invested in research projects in 2010, with the objective to improve health conditions, and water and food security in Africa.
Mr. Chairman/Madam Chairperson,
Ultimately, within the context of globalization, international cooperation and long-term partnership are prerequisites to successfully combat corruption and promote use of and access to science and technology. Finally, the European Union would like to see a clear connection to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals in future reports on Corruption, and Science and Technology to this committee.
Thank you Mr. Chairman/Madam Chairperson.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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