By Caribbean News Global 
NEW YORK, USA – The special session of the UN General Assembly on challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation is currently in session June 2 – 4, 2021, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 73/191 and 74/276, as well as decisions 74/568 and 75/562 entitled “Special session of the General Assembly against corruption”.
“Corruption thrives in a crisis”, said president of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkır, noting the unprecedented strain that the COVID-19 pandemic has put on supply chains and the exploits of some. “We must learn from this experience because the next crisis will come, and we will need to be prepared to meet it when it does”.
In a release, the UNGASS 2021, said: “Corruption threatens the stability and security of societies, undermines public trust and institutions, and jeopardizes sustainable development. It distorts markets, stifles economic growth and diverts funds from public services. While corruption is a global phenomenon, evidence shows that it has a disproportionate impact on certain demographics, in particular poorer communities and the most vulnerable persons. Corrupt practices have a particularly adverse impact on the lives of women, socially, politically and economically, contributing to gender disparity gap.
“The special session will provide an opportunity to galvanize the political will of governments and the international community as a whole in advancing the fight against corruption. Governments will be able to take stock of global efforts and commitments and identify solutions to common challenges in preventing and combating corruption. The special session will also contribute to driving forward the efforts of countries to fully and effectively implement the Convention, including by, inter alia, sharing best practices and lessons learned.”
Addressing the opening session president of the general assembly, Bozkır, said: “The world is facing pressing problems, including humanitarian crises, deadly conflicts and a devastating pandemic. COVID-19 has shown us more clearly than ever that countries cannot address these challenges on their own. Global problems require global solutions, and that is why we need to recommit to multilateralism. The General Assembly, where all Member States are equal, is uniquely situated to steer our common efforts.
“We will not recover from this global economic downturn without a concerted effort to end corruption”, he concluded. “Each Member State, and indeed each individual, has a responsibility to be vigilant, to take preventative measures, and to uphold the rule of law, without exception,” said Bozkir during the first day of a special session.
On 17 December 2018, the General Assembly adopted resolution 73/191 entitled “Special session of the General Assembly against corruption”, in which it decided to convene in the first half of 2021 a special session on challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation.
At that session, the Conference approved a draft resolution entitled: “Special session of the General Assembly against corruption”, for subsequent adoption by the General Assembly. Subsequently, the General Assembly adopted the resolution 74/276 entitled “Special session of the General Assembly against corruption” on 1 June 2020. On 31 August 2020, the General Assembly adopted decision 74/568, in which it decided that the special session will be held from 2 to 4 June 2021.
Deputy secretary-general Amina Mohammed, said in her opening remarks: “Corruption disproportionally impacts women by limiting access to public resources, information and decision-making”, she stressed, adding that it also “facilitates organized crime and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources … [and] enables illicit financial flows and tax havens,” adding “corruption compounds injustices and inequalities.”
