African states urged to mark African anti-corruption day every year on July 11

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, June 12 (MENA) - Amel Ammar, member of the African Union's anti-corruption advisory board, called on countries participating in the first African Anti-Corruption Forum to mark Anti-Corruption Day on July 11.

Addressing the opening session of the forum on Wednesday, Ammar said the theme of this year's celebration will be; coordinating a unified African stance to restore smuggled funds.

He lauded Egypt's hosting of the first African Anti-Corruption Forum, saying the board will work for putting into effect the recommendations coming from this forum.

The two-day forum aims at providing a platform for African countries to meet on a regular basis to exchange information, experiences and best practices for the purpose of consolidating their national capabilities and institutions in the fight against corruption.

The forum will address several topics, including the continental and national efforts conducted by African countries in accordance with their international and regional commitments, the relationship between corruption and development, capacity building and human resources, the role of civil society and the private sector, and how to enhance African inter-governmental coordination in combating corruption.