US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said corruption across the globe not only stunts economic growth but also damages confidence in democracy.

“Corruption stunts economic growth, damages confidence in democracy, and fosters a culture of graft and impunity that undermines the ability to operate in our interconnected world,” Clinton said in a statement on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day on Thursday.

“Every country has a role to play as we work to advance our collective anti-corruption agenda and institutionalise the highest standards of transparency,” she said.

“Together, we can ensure the integrity of our markets, improve our government institutions, and increase opportunity and prosperity for all our citizens,” she said.

December 9th is observed as International Anti-Corruption Day.

“As we continue our common fight against corruption and recommit ourselves to the work ahead, we also recognise the significant achievements of the past year,” she said.

Noting that last month, G20 Leaders adopted a landmark Anti-Corruption Action Plan to promote an open, rules-based environment worldwide, she said implementing this plan will require cooperative efforts among G20 partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

The participation of emerging G20 economies is particularly important as they lay the foundation for generations of sustainable growth and prosperity, she said.

Clinton said the US has made unprecedented strides over the past year to enforce anticorruption laws and ensure that companies do not practice bribery or unfair practices in countries where they operate.

“This year, the States Parties of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) also launched a process to review implementation of the treaty. The US is proud to be among the first nations to undergo a peer review, and we look forward to working with our partners in the UNCAC process to translate this global commitment to root out corruption from promise to practice,” she said.