MINDFUL of Article 21 of the Treaty establishing the Southern African Development Community which enjoins Member States to cooperate in all areas necessary to foster regional development, integration and cooperation and Article 22 of the Treaty which 2 mandates Member states to conclude Protocols as may be necessary in each area of cooperation;

CONCERNED about the adverse and destabilising effects of corruption throughout the world on the culture, economic, social and political foundations of society;

NOTING that corruption is a serious international problem which is presently the subject of concerted action in other parts of the world and one which countries in every stage of development should tackle as a matter of urgency; WELCOMING initiatives of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and collective regional efforts to combat corruption;

TAKING cognizance of the Resolutions adopted by Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General of the Southern African Development Community at the 3rd Regional Roundtable on Ethics and Governance held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in August, 2000 in which they agreed on initiatives to fight corruption in the Region;

AWARE of the inter-relationships between corruption and other criminal activities;