Corruption involving all sectors of human society distorts human values, emasculates democracy and undermines the fight against poverty, delegates to a global anti-corruption conference were told in Johannesburg on Monday.

South African President Thabo Mbeki urged political and business leaders, civil society, public intellectuals and academics, and others, to identify the root causes of corruption and accordingly work out the most effective ways and means to combat it.

Opening the 5th Global Forum on Anti-corruption at Sandton in Johannesburg, Mbeki described corruption as "one of the most critical challenges facing all nations of the world."

"Corruption in all its forms and manifestations, constitute a process that negates the democracy and development the ordinary people need to transcend the boundaries of their world of poverty, underdevelopment and disempowerment," he told the delegates.

"Corruption is a multifaceted, systemic and institutional global phenomenon involving all sectors of human society. It takes a variety of forms including theft, fraud, bribery, extortion, nepotism, patronage, and the laundering of illicit proceeds," he said.

It is the first time that the biennial conference is held in Africa.

Surveys released last week conducted by Markinor, a South African survey company, and the University of Stellenbosch found that at least half of South Africa's adult population believed corruption was widespread among public officials, the SAPA news agency reported on Monday.

But a South African official argued that the fight against corruption has been identified as a key element of the African initiatives to eradicate poverty and to place African countries on the path of sustainable growth and development.

The conference "will provide an opportunity to share Africa's anti-corruption experiences and showcase good practice," said Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, minister of Public Service and Administration.

Over 1,500 delegates from more than 100 countries arrived for the four-day conference on preventing and fighting corruption. They included ministers, heads of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, and officials dealing with governance, money laundering and customs.

In 2003 the World Bank estimated that the cost of corruption represents 5 percent of the world economy -- more than 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars, according to a fact sheet issued at the conference.

Corruption also causes reduced investment as investment in a relatively corrupt country compared to an uncorrupt one can be as much as 20 percent more costly, it said.

Source: Xinhua