Statement

By the

Representative of the

Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the

Conference of the State Parties

To the United Nations Convention against Corruption

First session

Agenda Item 3

(Technical Assistance)

Amman, 10-14 December 2006

In the Name of God, the compassionate, the merciful

Mr. President,

            Allow me to thank the Secretariat for preparing of very useful paper on Technical Assistance in document (CAC/COSP/2006/9), which comprised a whole consideration of various forms of technical assistance.

Mr. President,

            As we are fully aware, the United Nations Convention against Corruption provides a comprehensive framework for concerted action by States Parties to prevent and control corruption at the national level and to cooperate at the international level. As it has been mentioned in Article 1 of the Convention, one of  the main purposes of this international instrument is:

            (b) To promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and

technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption,

            including in asset recovery.

            Accordingly, I would like to reiterate that implementation of the Conventions is an interconnected process, that means eight chapters of the Convention should be implemented comprehensively.

            Playing the significant role in different areas of full implementation of UNCAC, technical assistance should be coordinated in ensuring that overlapping is avoided and resources are used effectively.

Mr. President,

            The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a signatory of UNCAC, has taken serious steps on training of different governmental institutions. In this regard, the Iranian Customs Administration has designed a broad-based training programme that covers a wide range of topics, including integrity values, organizational behavior and promoting the culture to fight corruption.

            Furthermore, Islamic Republic of Iran has been conducting a joint project with collaboration of UNODC for strengthening judicial capacity in fighting against corruption. According to this joint project , workshop on the best international practices for judicial conduct and Integrity held on 8 to 9 April 2005 with participation of Judges, Prosecutors and police officers. Another workshop on the review and identification of legislative capacity and capabilities of judiciary against corruption convened in Tehran on 2 to 3 August 2006. In latter workshop, different participants from Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches participated, deliberated and considered, within the three working groups, various dimensions of UNCAC and its implementation in Iranian governmental system.

            At regional level, the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a Member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), has major role in regional interactions in fighting against different forms and manifestation of corruption. Accordingly, Islamic Republic of Iran has actively participated in the First OIC Anti Corruption and Enhancing Integrity Forum (Kualalampur, 28 – 30 August 2006) and has proposed to host the Second Forum in Tehran in 2007. Moreover, in The First Meeting of the ECO Ministers for Interior, held in Tehran on 1st November 2006, member states acknowledged that transnational organized crimes and corrupt activities such as money laundering posed them a common concern and that they must fight them jointly. They agreed to set up a High Level Expert Group to prepare a comprehensive cooperation plan to launch a coordinated and organized campaign against crimes.

Mr. President,

            Having considered that technical assistance has been made a key component of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and a strong link has been established between it and the implementation of the Convention, the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the establishment of an open-ended working group, in accordance with article 63 paragraph 4 of the UNCAC, to advice and assist the Conference of the States Parties in the implementation of its mandate on technical assistance (especially those forseen in articles 60 to 62).

            I trust that within an open- ended working group we will have serious discussion of all aspects of technical assistance and we can exchange best practices, experiences and knowledge to achieve constructive and fruitful results.

Thank You