For two decades, December 9 has been marked as the International Anti-Corruption Day, thus maintaining a symbolic connection with December 9, 2003, when the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the only universal legally binding anti-corruption instrument, was opened for signing in Mérida, Mexico.

Experiencing the Convention as its base and inspiration, drawing ideas, messages and guidelines from it, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption, as the central preventive anti-corruption institution of Montenegro, one of the 188 signatories, proudly joins the celebration of this day.

Corruption, as emphasized by the United Nations, is the main obstacle to development, peace and security, and undermines all areas of social development. It fuels conflict and hinders peace processes by undermining the rule of law, exacerbating poverty, facilitating the illicit use of resources and providing financing for conflict. Transparency and strengthening of institutions are key to maintaining peace.

This year's Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated under the motto "Uniting the world against corruption". The basis of this message is the understanding that the fight against corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone and that it requires the combined and coordinated engagement of the entire society.

Encouraged by the positive trend of work, recognized by relevant international addresses, primarily the European Commission, GRECO and OECD, dedicated to developing its practice, the Agency notes the essential importance of prevention in combating corruption. The basis of prevention is the management of corruption risks: raising awareness of the harmfulness of corruption, the necessity and ways of preventing it, strengthening the policy of transparency and the system of integrity of institutions, as well as the responsibility of public officials and civil servants, and encouraging corruption reporting mechanisms.

As one of the creators of preventive anti-corruption policies and responsible for their implementation, the Agency will continue to act on the affirmation of the rule of law, to improve and spread knowledge on the prevention of corruption in the spirit of the

UN Convention, promoting and applying international standards and contributing to the upgrading of the ethical infrastructure. In the fulfillment of its mission, it remains open to cooperation with everyone who works for the benefit of the public interest.

Using the motto of this year's celebration on December 9, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption calls on citizens, the civil sector, the media and institutions to unite their efforts in order to use their attitudes and actions to shape an environment in which the highest social values are affirmed and the real and perceived level of corruption in our community is reduced.