Parliamentary Assembly of Mediterranean Signs MoU with UNODC to Fight Corruption, Organized Crime

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Gennaro Migliore said on Tuesday that corruption is a long standing and wide spread phenomena deep-rooted on a global scale, adding that that high levels of corruption trait stability and wellbeing in our society and PAM strongly supports of the efforts of the member parliaments in their fight against it.

This came during the UNODC’s anti-corruption conference, which takes place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with 152 countries meeting to advance action through the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and strengthen integrity responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president of the parliamentary assembly pointed out that PAM is a unique political international Organization, aimed at serving the UN General Assembly, which bring together 34 international parliament from Europe, MENA, and the gulf region; to take very complete action on common strategies, which matters for the region.

"The UN assembly works together to take very concrete actions on common strategies that matters for the region. Fighting corruption is a priority on our agenda. For the onset of its actions; fighting corruption has been a priority on PAM's agenda," he said.

[caption id="attachment_297556" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Gennaro Migliore during the UNODC’s anti-corruption conference, Dec. 14, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.[/caption]

"National parliaments have the duty to prevent and combat corruption through legislation and global partnerships. Parliamentarians, who are the representatives of the people, are the first who must set an example of personal integrity and highest standards of ethics on a daily basis," he stressed.

He pointed out that recent estimates highlight that the levels of corruption have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; with a negative impact on peace, Security, rule of law, gender equality, human rights, and environment, affecting recovery and increased tensions within and among nations.

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"To end corruption we need to address the root causes, and it is imperative to ensure that our attempts extensively reach the most vulnerable parts of the population; not leaving any one behind."

"Today, I am here to celebrate the signing of an important memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly, which I am sure under her leadership, we will further consolidate and strengthen our partnership and share strategic matters."

Next year, a conference will be organized on the review of the legislative implementation of the Palermo Convention in the PAM region. Its aim is to ensure the complementary of a force with the UNODC launch for the comprehensive review mechanism of the convention; particularly in light of the IT and artificial Intelligence (AI) developments of the past 20 years.

[caption id="attachment_297562" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Gennaro Migliore during the UNODC’s 9th conference on anti-corruption, Dec. 14, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.[/caption]

"I am confident that with the keep up and partnership with the UNODC we will advance in promoting any legislative action needed to strengthen criminal justice response to transnational organized crime and international corruption."

"Finally, I thank the Egyptian government for the exceptional organization of the conference and for the kind hospitality."