United Nations
A/RES/57/244
General Assembly
Distr.: General
7 February 2003
Fifty-seventh session
Agenda item 85
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/530)]
57/244. Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer
of funds of illicit origin and returning such funds to the
countries of origin
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 54/205 of 22 December 1999 on the prevention of
corrupt practices and illegal transfer of funds, 55/61 of 4 December 2000 on an
effective international legal instrument against corruption, 55/188 of 20 December
2000 on preventing and combating corrupt practices and illegal transfer of funds and
repatriation of such funds to the countries of origin and 56/186 of 21 December
2001 on preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of funds of illicit
origin and returning such funds to the countries of origin,
Deeply concerned about the seriousness of problems posed by corrupt
practices and transfer of funds and assets of illicit origin, which may endanger the
stability and security of societies, undermine the values of democracy and civil
ethics and jeopardize social, economic and political development, particularly when
an inadequate national and international response leads to impunity,
Recalling the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing
for Development,1 which underlined that fighting corruption at all levels is a priority,
Underlining the fact that preventing and combating corrupt practices and
transfer of funds of illicit origin and returning such funds is an important element in
the effective mobilization and allocation of resources for development in affected
developing countries and in supporting their aims of poverty eradication and
sustainable development,
Emphasizing the responsibility of Governments to adopt policies at the
national and international levels aimed at preventing and combating corrupt
practices, transfer of funds and assets of illicit origin and facilitating the return of
such funds and assets to the countries of origin,
Recognizing the importance of international cooperation and instruments of
international and national laws and legislation for combating corruption, bribery and
money-laundering in international commercial transactions,
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1
Report of the International Conference on Financing for Development, Monterrey, Mexico,
18–22 March 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.II.A.7), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
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