David Cameron: Fighting 'evil' of corruption key to global security

Fighting the "evil" of corruption is crucial to global security, David Cameron will tell Commonwealth leaders.

The Prime Minister will say a lack of political will has held back progress as he brings together 10 countries in a fresh push to tackle the problem.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Malta today, he will warn that corruption is one of the greatest enemies of our time.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Cameron said: "The UK has been a world leader in the fight to tackle corruption, which is an evil in itself but which also exacerbates other global challenges such as poverty and extremism.

"Rooting out corruption is crucial to global prosperity and security.

"The anti-corruption summit we will host next year will be an important opportunity for the international community to come together and to agree practical action to beat the cancer of corruption."

Mr Cameron will urge Commonwealth countries to lead the fight against corruption at meetings in Malta ahead of a major conference on the issue in the UK next year.

Chairing an event with President Ian Khama of Botswana, which is the host country of the Commonwealth's anti-corruption centre, he will call on leaders and foreign ministers from Canada, Australia, Ghana, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore, India and Malta to take action.

The international community has looked the other way for too long, Mr Cameron is expected to say as he sets out how anti-corruption measures are key to boosting economic growth and development as well as ensuring security.

Transparency and good governance as well as better law enforcement are needed to tackle the issue, the Prime Minister will say.

Next year's summit will bring together leaders from across the world to find ways of taking international action to wipe out problem.