VIENNA ( Austeria) Pakistan’s ambasador to Vienna , Aftab Ahmad Khokher addressed the 10th Assembly of Parties of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) on Thursday being held here.
According to a message received by NEWSMAN from Pakistan’s embassy in Vienna, the ambassador said Pakistan was committed to promote meaningful international cooperation against corruption, which remained a common and persistent challenge for the international community.
Referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Aftab Khokhar said the scourge of corruption and illegal transfer of assets to offshore havens led to the impoverishment of developing nations, depleted their resources and further accentuated the rich-poor gap within and among countries.
He stressed the urgent need for enhancing international cooperation for prevention of corruption and, in particular, for return of the proceeds of corruption to the countries of origin. The ambassador added the International community should focus on creating mechanisms for holding perpetrators and enablers of corruption accountable. This could be done through removal of hurdles to access information about the beneficial ownership of foreign assets held in offshore safe havens.
He said that Pakistan attached great importance to IACA which was also contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). As a reflection of its support, Pakistan had made a voluntary financial contribution of US$ 7,000 to IACA this year.
The IACA is an international organization based in Laxenburg, Austria. It offers anti-corruption training and education as well as technical support and assistance to officials and academics from around the world. Till date, its membership comprises 76 UN Member States and four Intergovernmental Organisations