The Elders welcome the International Anti-Corruption Summit taking place in London on 12 May and call on all countries to back up their words with actions.

Corruption is a blight on countries’ development and destroys peoples’ faith in their systems of governance and wider public institutions. It impoverishes nations where millions of people already live in abject poverty, and it also damages the social fabric of countries where the embezzled money is laundered or invested.

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said:

“Only a concerted international approach can tackle the endemic problem of corruption. All leaders need to show responsibility and tackle corruption when it occurs in their countries and set an example of personal probity. States and governments must analyse honestly how their own legal, financial and political systems facilitate corrupt practices, and take steps to address the problem.

It is time to close all the tax loopholes and move to genuinely transparent and credible financial regulations, so those who engage in corruption know there is no place to hide and no immunity for their criminal acts."

Speaking at the end of their board meeting in London, The Elders join the Africa Progress Panel in urging governments at the London summit to agree and make sustained efforts to fight corruption and show transparency. The Elders will continue to campaign for good governance and ethical leadership across the world.

For media inquiries, please contact William French, Head of Communications at The Elders (+44 7795 693903) or email: [email protected]