In debating the question, the 40-member UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is expected to set the stage for preparations to negotiate a legally-binding international treaty on corruption.

In addition to discussing corruption, the Commission will consider how best to promote the early entry into force of the recently adopted UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols dealing with trafficking in human beings, smuggling of migrants and illicit manufacturing and trade in firearms.

Other issues to be addressed during the session include "cyber-crime," trafficking in explosives, follow-up to last year's UN "Crime Congress" in Vienna and assistance to countries in upgrading their capacities to fight crime.

The Commission was established in 1992 to set international policy on crime control matters. Its current 10th session will run until 17 May.