A message from UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Sanda Ojiambo for International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December 2021

Each year, 9 December marks International Anti-Corruption Day, and the theme for 2021 is "Your right, your role: Say no to Corruption."

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge governance, public trust in institutions, and the rule of law, I encourage everyone to join us in the fight against corruption.

While governments shoulder the primary responsibility to tackle corruption, everyone has a reason to do so — civil society, business, academia, the media. This insidious social disease disproportionately harms the most vulnerable among us. As we build toward a more inclusive, more just future for all, we must work collectively to eradicate corruption at all levels, everywhere. 

At the United Nations Global Compact, we challenge companies to partner with civil society, the United Nations, governments and other businesses to create a cleaner business environment.

The Tenth Principle of the United Nations Global Compact commits our participants across 160 countries to avoid bribery, extortion and other forms of corruption. It urges them to proactively develop policies and programmes to address corruption internally and within their supply chains. 

But we must go beyond finely worded commitments — we must recognize our own rights and roles as individuals and as institutions, and work collectively to reverse the tide. 

I invite you to listen to some of our Global Compact Local Network voices from across the world as they share their thoughts on the importance of fighting corruption.

Thank you.

Click on boxes to view messages from Global Compact Local Networks: