The convention, which took effect in 2005, introduced a comprehensive set of standards, measures and rules for countries to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes against corruption.

It also called for preventive measures and criminalization of the most prevalent forms of public and private graft.

Implementation of the agreement “will complement and strengthen Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to reduce corruption,” the UN statement said.

Jairo Acuna-Alfaro, a UN anticorruption policy adviser, said Vietnam has now committed itself to regularly reporting to the international community on how it is implementing the pact.

“Vietnam already has a comprehensive legal framework to fight corruption in place but implementation of the framework is weak and uncoordinated,” Acuna-Alfaro said.

“With the reporting that is now required, gaps and loopholes in the legal framework can better be spotted and, over time, be addressed properly.”

More than 140 countries have already signed the anti-corruption pact.

Source: AFP