CLA News / 9th December 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day 2025
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) Anti-Corruption Committee (CLA/ACSC) joins the global community in marking International Anti-Corruption Day 2025, a day dedicated to strengthening collective commitment to integrity, transparency, and the rule of law. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” highlights the essential role young people play in building resilient justice systems and accountable governance structures across the Commonwealth.
Corruption remains one of the most significant challenges affecting the stability and development of many Commonwealth countries. It compromises access to justice, and erodes citizens’ confidence in democratic processes. Addressing corruption, therefore, requires robust legal frameworks, strong enforcement mechanisms, and operational systems that prevent, detect, and sanction wrongdoing across both public and private sectors.
The CLA ACSC emphasizes that combating corruption begins with strengthening the foundations of the rule of law. To achieve strong democracractic institutions, Commonwealth jurisdictions must continue to align domestic legislation with international obligations, including the Commonwealth anti-corruption benchmark, the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations, and regional AML/CFT and asset-recovery standards. Some of these frameworks provide the necessary structure for the criminalization of corruption-related offences, transparent public procurement, effective confiscation of criminal proceeds, access to beneficial-ownership information, and non-conviction-based forfeiture processes where criminal prosecution is not feasible.
In line with this year’s theme, the CLA ACSC underscores the importance of youth inclusion in anti-corruption strategies. Young lawyers represent the next generation of barristers, solicitors, judges, policymakers, and civic leaders. Their participation in legal reform, policy development, public accountability initiatives, technological innovation, and professional ethics compliance is essential. Bar associations, and justice ministries across the Commonwealth are encouraged to expand opportunities for youth engagement, strengthen integrity-based curricula, and promote mentorship programs that cultivate ethical leadership.
As the Commonwealth continues to advance efforts toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, corruption remains a significant barrier to achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Effective anti-corruption action will require sustained political will, institutional independence, adequate resourcing of oversight bodies, and continuous cooperation among governments, legal professionals, civil society, and the private sector.
The CLA ACSC reaffirms its commitment to supporting member countries through capacity-building, peer-exchange initiatives, technical guidance, and advocacy for stronger legal and regulatory systems. The Committee will continue to promote judicial integrity, enhance AML/CFT compliance, support asset-recovery reforms, and strengthen professional ethics in the legal sector.
On this International Anti-Corruption Day, the ACSC calls on all Commonwealth institutions to reinforce the principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency. The fight against corruption is a shared responsibility, and lasting progress depends on the active participation of every generation—particularly the youth, who hold the promise of shaping a future grounded in justice and good governance.
Read more about the work of this Committee here
Email info@commonwealthlawyers.com to express interest in joining the sub-committee, noting that CLA membership is a pre requisite.
