A/RES/57/244 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on prevention of corrupt practices and transfer of funds of illicit origin; 2 2. Encourages all Governments to combat corruption, bribery, moneylaundering and the transfer of illicitly acquired funds and assets and to work for the return of such funds and assets to the countries of origin, after request and due process, and welcomes the actions at the national and international levels taken by some Governments in this regard; 3. Notes the ongoing work of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of a Convention against Corruption, whose terms of reference were adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 56/260 of 31 January 2002, and urges an early completion of those negotiations to allow for the adoption of the convention by the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, and the celebration of the high-level political conference, to be held in Mexico by the end of 2003, for the purpose of signing the convention; 4. Calls for all efforts to promote good public and corporate governance at all levels, which is essential for sustained economic growth, poverty eradication and sustainable development worldwide; 5. Also calls, while recognizing the importance of national measures, for further international cooperation, inter alia, through the United Nations system, in support of efforts by Governments to prevent and address the transfer of funds of illicit origin, as well as to return such funds and assets to the countries of origin; 6. Requests the international community to support national efforts to strengthen human and institutional capacity and regulatory frameworks for preventing corruption, bribery, money laundering and the transfer of funds and assets of illicit origin, and to assist in the return of such funds and assets to the countries of origin; 7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly on this matter at its fifty-eighth session; 8. Decides to keep the matter under review and to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth session a sub-item entitled “Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of funds of illicit origin and returning such assets to the countries of origin” under the item entitled “Sectoral policy questions”. 78th plenary meeting 20 December 2002 _______________ 2 2 A/57/158 and Add.1 and 2.