1 The Challenge of Global Corruption

For the last twenty years or so, we have witnessed rapid development in the effort to combat corruption under international law. Corruption is one of the world’s most pervasive problems, affecting international trade, environmental protection efforts, human rights, national security, access to health care and justice services, economic development, and the legitimacy of governments around the world. Efforts to prevent or reduce corrupt practices have been just as diverse, and have met with varying degrees of success.