Egypt has underscored the importance of serious and fruitful coordination to address cross-border corruption.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that corruption “hinders sustainable development, being a multidimensional phenomenon that undermines prosperity, leads to high rates of poverty and affects human rights.”

His remarks were made during the ninth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC/COSP9), hosted by Sharm El Sheikh from December 13 until 17.

Egypt’s cabinet said in a statement that the event is considered “the most important, during which participants can exchange experiences and practices to prevent and confront corruption.”

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Wali stressed the importance of the conference, given that the UN Convention against Corruption is the “comprehensive international instrument against corruption that threatens the security of states and impedes sustainable development efforts worldwide.”

Madbouly explained that Egypt had launched a comprehensive national economic reform program in 2016 to achieve macroeconomic stability, attract local and international investments and reduce public debt rates.

He pointed out that the state is also currently implementing a series of national projects that help in creating job opportunities, improving citizens’ livelihood, in an attempt to reduce corruption practices.

Madbouly said that the presidential “Decent Life” initiative to develop Egyptian villages, tops the programs aimed at improving the lives of about 60 million Egyptians living in the countryside.

“Working to improve the living conditions of the marginalized groups is one way to fight corruption, discrimination and inequality,” the premier stressed, adding that the new republic offers hope to all Egyptians to live in dignity, prosperity and progress.

Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper