Morocco has reaffirmed its support for strengthening the mechanism for reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane, Morocco's permanent representative to Vienna, highlighted four key areas: improving the quality of reviews, transparency, inclusivity, and effective implementation of the Convention's provisions. These considerations form the basis of Morocco's support for the adopted texts.
The first area of focus is the review mechanism, which should enable states to identify their strengths and weaknesses, understand obstacles to implementing the Convention, and develop practical recommendations for reform. Farhane recalled Morocco's statement at the 15th UN Congress on Crime and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi last September. He emphasized that this mechanism should support institutional reform and performance improvement.
The second area concerns transparency, a pillar of accountability and trust-building. Farhane stressed the importance of making information and documents related to review processes available, while respecting national legislation and confidentiality. This transparency is crucial for building trust and ensuring that the review process is fair and effective.
Inclusivity is the third area Morocco is advocating for. Farhane highlighted the need for collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, and civil society, while respecting each party's competencies and roles. This inclusive approach can enrich the understanding of corruption's effects and strengthen reform efforts.
The fourth area of focus is the effective implementation of all Convention provisions. Farhane emphasized the importance of following up on review recommendations, intensifying technical assistance, and building capacities, taking into account each state's needs, priorities, and resources. He also stressed that the impact of commitments should be evaluated based on their concrete effects on people's lives, public resource protection, justice, and equal opportunities.
Farhane also recalled the importance of the Marrakech Declaration on Preventing Corruption, adopted in 2011, which is a major reference for strengthening the preventive dimension of the Convention. He emphasized that Morocco considers the implementation of this declaration's spirit to be crucial for anchoring integrity in institutions and society, and for making prevention a sustainable practice.
Finally, Farhane reiterated Morocco's commitment to contributing constructively to the collective effort to combat corruption. He emphasized that preserving public funds is essential for development opportunities and that protecting human dignity is the ultimate goal of their common action. Morocco will continue to support the intergovernmental nature of the review mechanism, its appropriation by states parties, and its cooperative and non-punitive nature.
Key points
- Morocco's ambassador to Vienna emphasizes the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and effective implementation in anti-corruption efforts.
