Washington ------------- The G7 countries, in tandem with the High Representative of the European Union, EU, have vowed to adopt strong measures aimed at tackling corruption.

The vow was contained in a statement by the G7 ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the United States, as well as the EU’s top diplomat, on Wednesday.

The statement by the G7 ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the United States, as well as the EU’s top diplomat was made on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption.

“As the G7, we will work to ensure there are strong measures in place to prevent corruption and other forms of illicit finance to protect our financial centres and deny safe haven to the proceeds of crime.

“We will support other countries’ efforts to do the same, including anti-corruption safeguards and transparency mechanisms in the delivery of humanitarian aid to ensure that aid, required in times of natural disaster and other emergencies including the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reaches intended beneficiaries,” the statement said.

The G7 ministers also, pledged to actively enforce both domestic and foreign bribery laws as well as ensure effective implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

“As some of our financial centres and industries can attract corrupt actors and the proceeds of crime, we commit to strengthening international cooperation to deny safe haven to corrupt individuals and their ill-gotten gains, including through information sharing, and the appropriate use of sanctions and visa restrictions,” the statement added.

It went on to say that they commit to counter money laundering linked to foreign corruption and to recover proceeds of crime.

The ministers also stressed that they were anticipating the G7 ministerial meeting in September to discuss joint efforts to tackle the menace.