December 9 is the International Anti-Corruption Day every year. Corruption is a problem that affects absolutely all citizens of the country. On this day in 2003 in the Mexican city of Merida at a high-level political conference, the UN Convention against Corruption, adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 1, 2003, was opened for signature.

The document obliges the signatory states to declare bribery, embezzlement of budgetary funds and laundering of corruption proceeds a crime. According to one of the provisions of the Convention, it is necessary to return funds to the country where they came from as a result of corruption. The 2003 Convention is the first of its kind. It is especially important for countries where the corruption of all structures is detrimental to national welfare.

To date, the Convention has been signed by about 140 states and ratified by about 80. Kazakhstan ratified this Convention in May 2008.

Since the first days of its independence, Kazakhstan has been waging an uncompromising fight against corruption and is ready for constructive interaction on the anti-corruption front with all states and relevant international organizations.

Kazakhstan pursues an anti-corruption policy aimed at creating a state free from corruption. The key tasks in achieving this goal are the formation of a transparent state, the formation of a professional state apparatus, ensuring the rule of law, and improving conditions for business development.