Ghani to join UK anti-corruption summit

This week, London will host a major international anti-corruption summit – the first of its kind – aimed at stepping up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption in all walks of life.

President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani will join an anti-corruption summit in London capital the United Kingdom.

The UK prime minister, David Cameron wants those attending Thursday’s day-long summit to sign the “first ever declaration against corruption” that would acknowledge the damage it causes and commit them to tackling it.

“For too long there has been a taboo about tackling this issue head on. The summit will change that. Together we will push the fight against corruption to the top of the international agenda where it belongs,” Cameron said.

Issues under discussion will include how to “lift the lid on practices that allow the corrupt to act with impunity”, he said in a statement released by Downing Street.

Chairman of Integrity Watch Afghanistan considers holding such summits very effective in combating corruption for Afghanistan and called on the international community to support combating corruption in Afghanistan.

“We expect the international community to support combating corruption in Afghanistan,” Sayeed Akram Afzali, head of Integrity Watch Afghanistan said.

The anti-corruption department in Afghanistan says the government tries to take serious measures for creating a High Anti-Corruption Council and the international community’s support is very important.

However, Integrity Watch Afghanistan says the government has failed to satisfy the international community and the civil society.

The summit will look at, for example, how the international community can work together to lift the lid on practices that allow the corrupt to act with impunity, ensure justice for those affected, reduce the impact of corruption on global security, and harness new technology, innovation and the energy of the next generation to drive out corruption wherever it exists.

UK will bring together world leaders from countries such as Afghanistan (President Ghani), Colombia (President Santos), Nigeria (President Buhari) and Norway (Prime Minister Solberg) to ensure the summit kick-starts a truly global movement to defeat corruption.

The Summit, on Thursday 12 May at Lancaster House in London, will also bring together a unique coalition of governments, businesses, civil society, law enforcement, sports committees and international organizations, who will commit to taking practical steps to tackle corruption and make it a genuine global priority.