The Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, HE Anna Maj Hultgård, attended the second Zambia anti-corruption conference held by Transparency International Zambia, TI-Z. The ambassador gave a speech on International support and prospects for reigniting the fight against corruption, where she talked about how widespread corruption is and how it relates to different sectors such as democracy, development, gender equality, youth and trade. You find the full speech below.
Dear distinguished guests, all protocols observed,
- I am very pleased to be here today and to participate in this second Zambia Anti-Corruption Conference. I would like to congratulate Transparency International Zambia, TI-Z, for organising this conference and hope that it can continue to be an annual event where we can take stock of the fight against corruption in Zambia.
- I cannot emphasise enough the importance of addressing corruption in a holistic, collaborative, evidenced informed and consistent manner. This conference serves as a platform for fostering such approaches
- I am also grateful for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you around “International support and prospects for reigniting the fight against corruption”
- In view of how widespread corruption is in terms of its manifestations and effects, I will highlight some aspects which are important for Sweden. These include corruption as it relates to democracy, development, gender equality, youth and trade.
Corruption and Democracy
- Corruption, in all its forms, is possibly the greatest obstacle to democracy and the enjoyment of human rights of all. When abuse of power and self-interest reign, public confidence in the state is undermined and the social system falls apart.
- It is well understood that there is a direct link between a shrinking democratic space and growing corruption. We have seen this in many countries around the world.
- As TI-Z has stated before, by undermining the vital pillars of democracy, including elections and judicial independence, corruption can produce a vicious cycle, where corruption undermines democratic institutions, and in turn weak institutions are less able to control corruption.
- Beating corruption is therefore essential to achieving democracy.
- The Swedish government’s initiative “Drive for Democracy” started in 2019 and aims at improving democracy all over the world, including the fight against corruption. The initiative includes supports greater respect for the rule of law, transparency and accountability. We put special emphasis on business and human rights. We also support the strengthening of institutions such as tax and audit authorities. In this way, Sweden seeks to contribute towards creating democratic societies.
Corruption and Development
- Corruption is a major hindrance for development by extorting resources from the public into the hands of a few and leads to lack of resources for development projects and investment into social services. Corruption also thrives on and exacerbates existing inequalities.
- Zambia is one of the countries with the highest levels of inequality. Addressing inequality is therefore an important aspect of the fight against corruption.
- At a global level, the Sustainable Development Goal 16 has a focus on promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.
- Achievement of this goal would unlock resources that are necessary for our people to enjoy a better life with access to essential services including health and education.
Corruption and Gender equality
- Corruption and gender inequality are in many ways closely connected. Men and women are affected by corruption in different ways and are subjects and objects of different corrupt practices and behaviours. Gender inequality breeds corruption and vice versa: corruption tends to exacerbate gender inequalities.
- When poor women do not have funds to spare for corrupt officials or persons holding positions of power, they risk being exposed to physical abuse, sexual extortion and exploitation; women’s lower status and position in society makes them especially vulnerable to corruption.
- Corruption hinders both women’s access to good quality public services, upon which women tend to have a greater reliance, as well as restricting women’s participation in public, economic and political life, limiting their influence over decision-making.
- A gender perspective is necessary if we are to find effective strategies to combat corruption and achieve sustainable development.
Corruption & Youth
- Zambia has a youthful population and coming out of the last election it is very clear just how much of a say youths have in the affairs of this country. Any efforts at addressing attitudes and practices around corruption in Zambia, must have a strong focus on mobilizing young people.
- Young people have the responsibility and power to change the culture, do not be afraid to demand accountability!
- I am very happy to note that the focus of day one of the conference was on youth participation in fighting corruption. This is very strategic as these are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today.
Corruption and Trade
- Corruption is a global affliction and a critical obstacle to sustainable development – social, economic and environmental.
- Globally, the cost of corruption in monetary terms is estimated at USD 36,000 billion annually, USD 10,000 billion of which consists solely of bribe payments. Besides the resources that are lost annually due to corruption, it also slows down economic growth through factors such as distorted competition and adverse effects on investment appetite. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has identified corruption as one of the costliest non-tariff barriers in global trade, particularly for low and low-middle income countries. The OECD estimates informal payments and corruption add a “tax” of anywhere from five to ten percent of the value of company sales in markets where corruption is normalized.
- Corruption in trade is damaging to business in a number of ways. The added costs consume resources that could be spent bringing down prices or improving quality. Corruption also distorts private sector competition – firms that do best are the ones that can best work the corrupt system, not necessarily the ones that provide the most value.
- High levels of corruption also make international firms unwilling to invest due to the added risks. Local citizens, particularly those in emerging economies, feel this damage through a lack of access to affordable, quality products, reduced job opportunities, and insufficient allocation of government resources to public services due to missing tax revenue.
Sweden and the Embassy’s work
- At the risk of being repetitive of the things that many of us already know about, I mention the above issues to create the context which frames our international and bilateral support.
- Sweden has various guiding documents on Anti-Corruption
- In addition, Sweden has robust institutions, protection of whistle blowers, a free press, a system of welfare and minimum wages. These aspects and the high level of trust between public and private sector have contributed to putting Sweden high on top (currently no 3) on the index presented by Transparency International. This is something to be proud of.
- But we also have challenges on integrity and ethics, unfair business practices, corruption, and bribery. Even top performing countries like Sweden need to work on these issues every day, everywhere.
- The United Nations Convention against Corruption and national legislation provides us with legal guidance, which further improve our work against corruption and bribery.
- Here in Zambia, the Swedish Embassy is engaged in dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, to contribute to reduced corruption and good governance. Our engagement involves linking up with other development actors, within Team Europe and among U4 partners, as well as supporting key anti-corruption institutions such as Transparency International Zambia, and integration of anti-corruption measures in our cooperation. In our strategy for bilateral development cooperation, while we integrate anti-corruption in all our work, we have a specific result on working towards improved conditions for democratic governance, reduced corruption, increased responsibility and accountability in public institutions.
- We are happy to support the Office of the Auditor General as well as civil society organisations working on demand side accountability. This includes women, youth and the media.
- Moving forward we will be seeking to explore work around the perhaps less discussed issue of environment and climate change as it relates to corruption.
International Support & Prospects for Reigniting the fight against corruption
As Sweden and Cooperating Partners in general, we are committed to supporting a reignited approach to fighting corruption in Zambia. With the New Dawn Government, we see an opportunity to start afresh and ensure that rhetoric around anti-corruption translates into action. Our support will include, but not be limited to the following:
Final words
- This conference is very timely and accords us an opportunity to reflect on the fight against corruption in Zambia, identify the challenges and weakness, best practice and determine the way forward to lifting this country out of the endemic corruption.
- One of the most important ways to fight corruption and to strengthen integrity is to dare to talk about it. This conference is one way to have a joint dialogue with citizens, public institutions, researchers, private sector, civil society and international actors.
- As Sweden we are keen to not end at this conference but to keep the dialogue going and to facilitate the creation of spaces for this purpose.
- I sincerely hope that this conference will contribute to sharpening cooperation and coordination, based on a shared understanding of corruption and of successful anti-corruption strategies and mechanisms. Most importantly, I hope this will lead to real results for the people of Zambia.
- Corruption knows no border and we are all in this together. We all have to take responsibility and fight corruption in the world.
- Thank you very much, zikomo kwambili
