PM: International community must target 'cancer' of corruption

David Cameron
Fifa
Politics
Saturday 6 June 2015 at 3:29am

David Cameron is set to call on the international community to fight the 'cancer' of corruption. Credit: Wolfgang Kumm / DPA/PA Images

David Cameron is set to call on the international community to eradicate the "cancer" of corruption at the G7 summit in Germany.

In the wake of the Fifa scandal the Prime Minister will push for an international effort to root out corruption in organisations, businesses and governments around the globe, arguing that it is holding back economic growth and human development.

He will cite World Bank estimates that corruption adds 10% to business costs worldwide, with £650 billion paid in bribes every year.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) believes corruption costs around 5% of global GDP annually, while in developing countries it can add 25% to the cost of procurement, Mr Cameron will say.

Seven of the 10 most corrupt countries in sub-Saharan Africa are also in the bottom 10 on the human development index and infant mortality is twice as high in countries with the most corruption as in those with the least.

Mr Cameron will condemn an international "taboo" on pointing the finger at corrupt institutions and say that the problems with international football have shown how shining a spotlight on an organisation can force it to clean up its operations.

He will say that anti-corruption measures should be at the heart of the new United Nations development goals for the coming 15 years due to be agreed in September.

In the last fortnight we have seen the stark truth about Fifa. The body governing football has faced appalling allegations that suggests it is absolutely riddled with corruption. And (Sepp) Blatter's resignation this week presents an opportunity to clean up the game we love. It is also an opportunity to learn a broader lesson about tackling corruption. Just as with Fifa, we know the problem is there but there is something of an international taboo over pointing the finger and stirring up concerns. At international summits, leaders meet to talk about aid, economic growth and how to keep our people safe. But we just don't talk enough about corruption. This has got to change. We have to show some of the same courage that exposed Fifa and break the taboo on talking about corruption. Corruption is the cancer at the heart of so many of the problems we face around the world today. It doesn't just threaten our prosperity, it also undermines our security. Football is beginning a long journey to rid itself of corruption and it will take time, courage and determination to see through the reforms that Fifa needs. I believe world leaders must show the same courage and determination to tackle corruption around the globe. That will be my mission tomorrow at the G7 and in the months and years ahead. >

The G7 summit begins on Thursday and will be hosted at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps by Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel.