BRICS grouping agrees to combat the menace of corruption

Corruption remains a global challenge with long-lasting impact, including the undermining of legal systems of states, India and four other members of the BRICS grouping said today as they vowed to combat the menace.

Underlining the need to enhance BRICS anti-corruption cooperation, the five member nations signed the Johannesburg Declaration, saying, corruption also presents a threat to economic growth by discouraging the necessary local and foreign investment in a country.

The declaration reaffirmed the commitment of the grouping - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to international cooperation under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption as well as under the BRICS Working Group on Anticorruption Cooperation.

Subject to the domestic legal systems of the BRICS member nations, they agreed to cooperate in anti-corruption law enforcement, extradition of fugitives, economic and corruption offenders and repatriation in matters relating to assets recovery and other related criminal and non-criminal matters involving corruption.

They called on the International community to deny safe haven to corrupt persons and proceeds of corruption.

"We regard experience sharing and exchange as key to increasing mutual understanding and enhancing BRICS anti-corruption cooperation and will continue our efforts in this aspect as we have done in previous years.

"We will further offer each other support in the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption by creating platforms for exchanging information and exploring convergences in multi-lateral platforms.

The declaration also lauded the African Union on choosing 2018 as the year of combating corruption.