United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for global efforts to fight corruption.

In a message on the International Anti-Corruption Day on Monday, Guterres said, every year trillions of dollars, the equivalent of more than five per cent of global Gross Domestic Product, are paid in bribes or stolen through corrupt practices.It seriously undermines the rule of law and abet crimes such as the illicit trafficking of people, drugs and arms.

He said, tax evasion, money laundering and other illicit flows divert much-needed resources from schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure and funds that are essential to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN Chief said, corruption threatens the well-being of our societies, the future of our children and the health of our planet. It must be fought by all, for all.

He said, later this month, governments will meet in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, to review progress and prepare for the first-ever UN General Assembly Special Session on Combating Corruption in 2021.