Morocco's Strong Stance on Anti-Corruption Efforts
On Friday, Morocco reiterated its unwavering support for the enhancement of the United Nations Convention against Corruption's review mechanism during a significant session held in Vienna. The Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane, emphasized the importance of improving the quality of reviews, bolstering transparency, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring the effective implementation of all provisions outlined in the Convention. This stance was articulated following the adoption of key documents during the extraordinary session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption and related meetings of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Key Pillars of Morocco's Support
Ambassador Farhane outlined four critical axes that underpin Morocco's endorsement of the adopted texts. The first axis focuses on the review mechanism's capability to enable states to identify their strengths and weaknesses. He highlighted the necessity for nations to comprehend the obstacles hindering the Convention's application and to transform this understanding into actionable recommendations that promote reform and enhance institutional performance. Farhane referred to Morocco's previous declaration at the 15th UN Congress on Crime and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi last September, emphasizing this commitment.
The second axis pertains to the enhancement of transparency, a cornerstone of accountability and trust-building. In this regard, Farhane stressed the importance of facilitating access to relevant information and documents concerning review processes, while adhering to national legislation and maintaining the confidentiality of protected information.
Inclusivity, the third axis championed by Morocco, emphasizes the need for collaboration among public institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Farhane pointed out that such participation is crucial for bridging institutional expertise with societal experiences, thereby enriching the understanding of corruption's impact and improving the capacity of reforms to address the real needs of society. The fourth axis concerns the effective implementation of all provisions of the Convention. Farhane noted the importance of monitoring recommendations derived from reviews and intensifying technical assistance while considering the unique needs, priorities, and resources of each participating state.
Furthermore, he underscored the significance of evaluating the commitments made based on their tangible effects on people's lives, the safeguarding of public resources, justice, and equality of opportunity. Farhane also recalled the importance of the Marrakech Declaration on Corruption Prevention, adopted in 2011, which serves as a major reference for enhancing the preventive dimension of the Convention.
Morocco believes that actualizing the spirit of this declaration requires embedding integrity within the culture of institutions and society, as well as strengthening capacities to make prevention a sustainable practice, thereby limiting the conditions that allow corruption to thrive. "Corruption undermines the sense of justice, erodes equality of opportunity, and distorts citizens' trust in institutions' ability to uphold their dignity and protect their rights," he remarked. He emphasized the necessity to maintain the intergovernmental nature of the review mechanism, ensuring its appropriation by states and fostering a cooperative, non-punitive environment that encourages progress based on trust, mutual respect, and shared learning.
Finally, Ambassador Farhane reiterated Morocco's commitment to continue contributing constructively to this collective effort, asserting that "the preservation of public funds is a safeguard for development opportunities" and that "the protection of human dignity remains the ultimate goal of our joint action."
As reported by libe.ma.
