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<title>KILGOUR TO LEAD CANADIAN DELEGATION TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CORRUPTION</title>
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<p><font size="+1"><strong>May 27, 2003 <em>(4:05 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 71</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>KILGOUR TO LEAD CANADIAN DELEGATION TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
CORRUPTION</strong></font></p>
<p>Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) David Kilgour today announced that he will lead the Canadian delegation to the upcoming
Third Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity (Global Forum III), taking place in Seoul, South
Korea, from May 29 to 31.</p>
<p>"Corruption, in all its forms and guises, violates the core values of democracy," said Mr. Kilgour. "It scares away foreign
direct investment, weakens the rule of law, and impedes the economic, social and political development of all nations.
Canada has taken an active role both internationally and domestically in the fight against corruption, including hosting the
Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians in the Fight Against Corruption (GOPAC) in Ottawa last
October."</p>
<p>The Secretary of State underscored that the diversity of the Canadian delegation, which includes representatives from civil
society, government departments, independent agencies and members of Parliament, reflects Canada's strong commitment
to combatting corruption on multiple fronts.</p>
<p>Participants at Global Forum III will focus on such issues as legal instruments, international cooperation, transparency and
integrity, democracy, economic development, culture, information technology, and the media. The meeting will result in a
final declaration.</p>
<p>Launched in Washington, D.C., in February 1999, the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity is
an intergovernmental body that brings together elected officials, ministers responsible for controlling corruption, and
experts in public ethics and anti-corruption. The Forum's primary objective is to promote international cooperation in
combatting corruption by sharing anti-corruption methods and experiences. The first two forums took place in Washington,
D.C., (1999) and the Netherlands (2001). </p>
<p>Discussions at Global Forum III will be informed by the results of the 11th International Anti-Corruption Conference
(IACC), also taking place in Seoul from May 25 to 28. A Canadian delegation will be participating in the conference.</p>
<p>The IACC is a biennial meeting that has brought together anti-corruption practitioners and academics to share ideas and
information for nearly 20 years.</p>
<p>The results of the meetings will be available at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123033207/http://www.globalforum3.org/">http://www.globalforum3.org</a> and <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123033207/http://www.11iacc.org/">http://www.11iacc.org</a></p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Lisa Kasper</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</p>
<p>(613) 944-2162</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123033207/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a> </p>
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