On 31 October 2003, the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day.  Its role would be “to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the UN Convention against Corruption” that came into force in 2005. 

Article 6 of the Convention required States Party to ensure the existence of “a body or bodies to prevent corruption”.   Such bodies would be granted the necessary independence to enable them to carry out their functions effectively and free from any undue influence. They would also be provided with the “necessary material resources and specialised staff, as well as the training that such staff may require to carry out their functions.”