A UN-backed anti-corruption academy was launched in Vienna Thursday with the presence of UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and other dignitaries from around the world.

Officials say the aim of the new facility in the Vienna suburb of Laxenburg is to serve as a place for research, training, networking and the development of policies to prevent and battle corruption.

More than 600 delegates from 90 countries attended the meeting, including governmental officials, businessmen, members of nongovernmental organizations as well as anti-corruption experts.

The academy is billed as the first of its kind.