A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between INTOSAI and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was officially signed on 30 July 2019 in the Vienna International Centre by the INTOSAI Chair, Dr. Harib Al Amimi and the UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotow. A representative of the INTOSAI General Secretariat witnessed the signing ceremony.
This MoU represents a landmark for INTOSAI in being recognized as a fundamental partner to the UNODC in respect of its responsibility to oversee the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The convention was launched in 2004 has become a fundamental mechanism for bringing the anti-corruption community together. INTOSAI will partner with anti-corruption authorities to strategically create opportunities and synergies for improved effectiveness and practices in tackling the global challenge of corruption. The MoU allows for the creation of a framework for SAIs and Anti-Corruption Agencies, the opportunity now exists for SAIs to engage in the dialogue to create this framework.
Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals cannot be done without real improvements in the fight against corruption. Increasing resources to meet the goals in high corruption environments probably will not lead to improved outcomes. Therefore fighting corruption and ensuring we have transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions (SDG 16.5 and 16.6) needs a systematic approach to corruption.
INTOSAI has a significant track record in respect of anti-corruption. The MoU provides a great opportunity for our expertise to be utilized to contribute to the effective improvement in anti-corruption practices.