MANILA, Philippines – With world leaders set to meet in New York City for the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) next week, Transparency International issued a stern warning to all governments to address corruption which it said could “slow down” the realization of the 8-point MDGs by 2015.

In its report, “The Anti-Corruption Catalyst: Realising the MDGs by 2015,” the TI cited the need for an “increased transparency, accountability and integrity” to achieve the MDGs within the next five years, which include maternal health, poverty reduction, universal education, gender equality, child mortality, HIV/AIDS and other diseases, environmental sustainability and global partnership for development.

World leaders are scheduled to meet in New York City for the UN Summit on MDGs from September 20 to 22.

“Governance breakdowns and corruption are significantly slowing down the progress towards the MDGs,” TI chairwoman Huguette Labelle said in a statement.

The global anti-corruption watchdog said the intensified corruption initiatives of all 189 UN member-state signatories to the 2000 Millennium Development Declaration could be translated into better MDG outcomes on education, health and water.

“As we take stock, it is clear that anti-corruption and good governance measures need to be fully integrated in all future development efforts,” Labelle said.

The TI report disclosed the “high cost” of not effectively addressing bribery and other forms of corruption, which can be explicit, implicit or hidden.

Explicitly, the MDG said funding may be embezzled by staff in a ministry, school or clinic.

 Implicitly, it said basic services may be unattainable for citizens due to bribery and other illegal payments that are demanded for clean water, schools and healthcare.

It added that the hidden cost of corruption is evident on the chronic absenteeism among teachers and doctors leaving public schools and clinics unstaffed and compromise the provision of education and healthcare.

The TI challenged all the signatories of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which is the first legally binding anti-corruption instrument “that can advance pro-MDG policies.”

The UNCAC, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2003 and entered into force in 2005, mandated all the 146 state parties to implement wide-ranging anti-corruption measures.

The TI also asked not only the governments, but also civil society groups and individuals to deal with corruption effectively.

It also counted on the donors “to open up their books to allow for greater public oversight of where and how their money is spent,” which could help citizens to hold to account governments receiving the funds.

 “Introduce greater transparency and you have a chance to eradicate corruption and help the poor and marginalized. It is time for anti-corruption to be accepted as an integral part of all MDG initiatives rather than addressed through separate, piecemeal approaches,” Labelle said.