International anti-corruption day

• International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on December 9 to raise awareness on the importance of getting rid of corruption.
• Corruption affects every area in our society and preventing corruption unlocks progress towards sustainable development goals.

UNCAC and History of day

• The United Nations took its first step to fight against International Corruption in December 2003.
• The UNCAC (United Nations Convention Against Corruption) was drafted on October 31, 2003.
• UNCAC is a treaty signed by the UN member states.
• The aim of this treaty is to legally bind members of the states to work in reducing corruption to enforce law and order.
• On 31 October 2003, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and requested that the Secretary-General designate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as secretariat for the Convention’s Conference of States Parties (resolution 58/4).
• The Assembly also designated 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it.
• The Convention entered into force in December 2005.
• The International Anti-Corruption Day is organised by the United Nations Development Program across the globe.
• All agencies work together with their regional partners in combating corruption and promote and encourage and exchange of information.
• The day is also observed by government and non-government organisations.

International Anti-Corruption Day 2021: Theme

• The International Anti-Corruption Day 2021 is intended to highlight the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders -- including states, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth -- in tackling corruption.
• The UN launched a six-week campaign in early November to underscore everyone's role in curbing and countering corruption.
• The campaign declared the theme as: “Your right, your role: say no to corruption”.