BRICS countries to strengthen anti-corruption cooperation

BRICS leaders said on Monday they supported the efforts to enhance the anti-corruption cooperation given the negative impact of corruption on sustainable development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) and other leaders of BRICS countries pose for a group photo before the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

"We support the strengthening of international cooperation against corruption, including through the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group, as well as on matters related to asset recovery and persons sought for corruption," said the BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration, released after the ninth BRICS summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen.

Corruption, including illicit money and financial flows, and ill-gotten wealth stashed in foreign jurisdictions, is a global challenge which may impact negatively on economic growth and sustainable development, according to the document.

The BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- said they would strive to coordinate their approach in this regard and encourage a stronger global commitment to prevent and combat corruption on the basis of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and other relevant international legal instruments.