International Anti-Corruption Day
Every December 9, people worldwide address corruption during International Anti-Corruption Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. This event reminds us that corruption can harm societies, economies, and the planet and exposes its prevalence worldwide.
Let’s equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to tackle corruption effectively by learning more about this day.
Key Info: International Anti-Corruption Day
- When is International Anti-Corruption Day?
Occurs annually on the 9th of December - This Year (2026):
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - Official Website: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
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Future Dates
- Thursday, December 9, 2027
- Saturday, December 9, 2028
- Sunday, December 9, 2029
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Additional Details
- Observed By: Government agencies, civil society organizations, international bodies, and citizens worldwide
- Where Is It Observed: International
- Primary Theme: Anti-Corruption and Good Governance
- Hashtags: #AntiCorruptionDay #UnitedAgainstCorruption #UNCAC #FightCorruption #IntegrityMatters
Quick links: International Anti-Corruption Day
Why International Anti-Corruption Day Matters
Corruption manifests in various forms, such as embezzlement, bribery, nepotism, and fraud. It has been a problem throughout history and has adapted to modern society by becoming more covert.
Outside the private sector, corruption undermines democracy, good governance, and ethical standards, hindering social and economic development.
International Anti-Corruption Day highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to combating corruption. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, integrity, and accountability in addressing this issue.
Everyone is susceptible to corruption, including government officials, law enforcement officers, civil servants, the private sector, and academia. By observing this annual event, we can be more prepared to spot and stop corruption as early as possible.
Data and Statistics
The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International revealed that over two-thirds of the 180 countries examined scored below 50, indicating a high level of perceived corruption.
The Global Corruption Barometer's 2017 survey of over 160,000 individuals across 119 countries found that one in four admitted to paying a bribe last year, indicating that corruption has become ingrained in many people's day-to-day transactions.
Where Does Corruption Happen
- Political corruption often involves politicians misusing their power for personal gain, such as bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism in public offices.
- Corporate corruption can involve unethical practices such as fraud, money laundering, and insider trading.
- Healthcare corruption can include overbilling, referral kickbacks, or selling counterfeit or substandard medications.
- Educational corruption can involve bribery for grades or admissions, selling academic degrees, or misusing funds intended for educational resources.
- Law enforcement corruption can involve bribery, falsifying evidence, or using power for personal gain.
Brief Timeline of International Anti-Corruption Day
The UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in October. The UN also requested that Kofi Annan, then-secretary-general, designate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as the secretariat for the Convention’s Conference of States Parties. This move also supported the convention’s anti-corruption obligations.
On the same document adopting the Convention, the delegates celebrated the first International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. This decision was made through A/RES/58/4.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a global campaign, "Your NO Counts," to mark the event.
The UNODC and UNDP launched a new global campaign, "Break the Corruption Chain," to encourage people worldwide to report incidents of corruption. It also emphasizes how fighting corruption is vital to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
IACD Themes and Hashtags
| December 9, 2020 | Recover with Integrity to Build Forward Better |
| December 9, 2021 | Your Right, Your Role: Say No to Corruption |
| December 9, 2022-2023 | UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption |
| December 9, 2024 | Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity |
Spread the word about International Anti-Corruption Day using the following hashtags:
- #AntiCorruptionDay
- #UnitedAgainstCorruption
- #Transparency
- #Accountability
- #Integrity
Conclusion
International Anti-Corruption Day reminds us of the impact of corruption on the economy and civil society. Let’s encourage our community to stand up against corruption to create a fairer and more sustainable world for future generations.
Resources:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
This global observance is held on December 9 to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption and promote anti-corruption initiatives.
Corruption undermines trust in institutions, hampers economic growth, and perpetuates inequality.
You can report corrupt practices, advocate for transparency and accountability, and refuse to engage in bribery or unethical behavior. Make sure to get current on international cooperation against corruption to make more informed decisions and opinions.
These acts include bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, cronyism, and money laundering.
It promotes ethical values, fosters critical thinking skills, and empowers individuals to recognize and resist corrupt practices in their communities and workplaces.
Mike is a degree-qualified researcher and writer passionate about increasing global awareness about climate change and encouraging people to act collectively in resolving these issues.
Fact Checked By:
Isabela Sedano, BEng.
