Afzal Abduganiyevich NURMATOV*
Distinguished Guests, Fellow Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to thank everyone who is sitting here. On my own behalf and on behalf of my fellow participants of the 18th UNAFEI UNCAC Training Programme to express my deepest appreciation to all of you who came here today to attend this important gathering. Indeed, this is a very special moment for all of us, a moment of happiness, appreciation and thanks for successful completion of this Training Programme. However, it is also a moment of sadness for us, as we are going to say "Goodbye" after we have been living together like family. I would like to thank, on behalf of all participants, the people of Japan, the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing us with such a unique opportunity to take part in this Training Programme, and the staff of UNAFEI for their hospitality and warmth. I would also like to give special thanks and appreciation to the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF) for supporting UNAFEI and this Training Programme. Thanks to the support of the Japanese government represented by JICA, 24 participants from 19 different countries including Japan with the different professional backgrounds have gathered here to discuss the issues of fighting against corruption. I must say that all the participants made very interesting reports regarding the situation of corruption and criminal justice in their respective countries. Corruption is one of the biggest enemies of economic and social development of any country irrespective of its stage of development. This pervasive problem exists both in a developed and developing world and, in the age of globalization, corruption is taking the form of a global challenge which needs global action. As corruption is crossing borders, not only the national governments and local people should come together, but the nations all over the world should cooperate with each other to achieve this global objective of eradicating corruption in all its forms. Moreover, I would like to thank the Japanese experts, ad hoc lecturers, visiting experts from Germany and Hong Kong for sharing their own knowledge with us on how to tackle corruption. This training course is one of the best examples of a truly international initiative on how countries should cooperate with each other so as to overcome the global curse of corruption. I did not even note that these 40 days have passed so quickly. These days have provided us with rich experience, knowledge and memories. We felt like we were at home with open-minded and kind people surrounding us. It always seemed to us that the Japanese culture is very close to our culture. But we are always fascinated by the way that the work of Japanese people is well- organized.  In addition, I should underline the fact that the Japanese people are extremely hardworking and law abiding citizens. And I guess the Japanese post-war economic miracle was possible only thanks to the industrious character of the Japanese nation. I should also point out that the cultural programme of this training course was very entertaining. We visited the old ruins of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and paid tribute to those who died in this human made catastrophe. We traveled to the ancient city of Kyoto by the high-speed train, the "Shinkansen". We watched "Kabuki" at the traditional Japanese National Theatre, and we enjoyed horse racing during the Tokyo Fuchu Lunch Party. We enjoyed wonderfully delicious Japanese food like sushi, sashimi and tempura during the special events, such as the Minoru-kai Party and Hiroshima Party, organized by ACPF. Fifteen years ago when I was much younger, I was in Japan for the first time and participated in the senior seminar on issues of extradition. And I would like to confess that I did not expect that this trip will give me as much experience as I gained in 2000. I was impressed by Japan when I visited here 15 years ago, but now I adore this beautiful country more!  As far as I am concerned, all participants will never forget this time being in amazing Japan! Taking all the above-mentioned aspects into consideration, on the behalf of all the participants   I would like to say: Doumo arigatou gozaimasu! (Thank you very much!) Kore kara mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu! (I look forward to further cooperation with you on the road of Justice!)