The global civil society network for the implementation and monitoring of the
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
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Dear Reader,
the first-ever UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) against Corruption is coming closer. Non-governmental stakeholders can currently apply to participate in the UNGASS, by the deadline of 4 April 2021.
The Coalition is making a final concerted effort to nudge governments to agree to a bold and ambitious Political Declaration and for the UNGASS to be a meaningful step forward in global anti-corruption efforts.
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Preparations for the UNGASS 2021
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Submission to Inform the Final Stage of UNGASS Preparations
To inform the final stage of the UNGASS preparations, we have compiled a comprehensive submission of key anti-corruption issues that we have shared with Member States. Drawing on input and contributions f rom many of our member organisations, the document outlines challenges and shortcomings in policy areas key to fighting corruption, provides examples of good practices, and highlights commitments Member States should make to advance transparency, integrity and accountability and ensure substantive progress in tackling corruption.
You can find the submission here in English, with the French and Spanish language versions forthcoming.
Open Contracting & the UNGASS: Spotlight on Procurement Transparency
With countries spending over USD 13 trillion on contracting, procurement is arguably governments' number one corruption risk. To discuss the benefit of procurement transparency and how it works in practice, the UNCAC Coalition and the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) organised a virtual briefing for delegates preparing for the UNGASS. The session was co-sponsored by the governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria and aimed at highlighting the need to advance open contracting in the context of the UNGASS. Representatives of close to 30 delegations participated. Find a summary of the webinar here.
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The Coalition is currently organizing briefings for delegations, including one on beneficial ownership transparency. If you are part of a diplomatic delegation and would like to attend, please send us an email at info@uncaccoalition.org.
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Transparency to Fight Corruption in Post-Pandemic Development
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The UNCAC Coalition and Access Info Europe will host a Knowledge Partner session at the 2021 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum entitled Transparency to Fight Corruption in Post-Pandemic Development on Thursday, 25 March, 15:00-16:30 (CET) featuring:
- Alfredo Durante Mangoni, Chair of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG), Coordinator for Anti-Corruption at the Italian Foreign Ministry
- Anamarija Musa, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb and from Croatian Information Commissioner (2013-2018)
- Antonio Baquero Iglesias, European Editor for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and lead reporter on OpenLux
- Helen Darbishire, Executive Director of Access Info Europe and Chair of the UNCAC Coalition
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NGOs in two countries have recently released parallel assessments on UNCAC implementation in their countries, produced with support from the UNCAC Coalition:
The reports cover the implementation of Chapter II (Preventive Measures) and Chapter V (Asset Recovery) provisions of the UNCAC.
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The report on UNCAC implementation in Zimbabwe finds that the failure to contain corruption is closely linked to a lack of political will, inadequate resources, a lack of institutional capacity, compromised integrity of law enforcement agents and the judiciary, as well as increasing impunity, especially when politically exposed persons are involved. Moreover, members of civil society and the media who report cases of corruption face increased persecution, imprisonment or worse. It is against this background that interventions are needed to develop the capacities of existing institutions and reform some laws.
On the other hand, the establishment of the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU), specialized anti-corruption courts, and a whistleblowing application initiated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to report corruption, are among good practices highlighted in the report. The effective implementation of these mechanisms is necessary for them to have a meaningful impact on anti-corruption efforts.
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The Armenia report highlights how, for the very first time, the government of Armenia has directly involved civil society organizations in the drafting of its fourth Anti-Corruption Strategy and Implementation Action Plan for 2019-2022. The strategy, based on three pillars (prevention of corruption; disclosure of corruption-related crimes; anti-corruption education and awareness-raising) provides a good basis for effectively tackling corruption. However, political influence, a lack of integrity monitoring and resources, and an incomplete asset recovery framework are among the many challenges that still persist in the fight against corruption in Armenia.
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Read a summary of the findings, key recommendations and the full reports on Zimbabwe and Armenia on our website.
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Last Preparatory UNGASS 2021 Meeting Discusses Way Forward
The third UNCAC CoSP intersessional meeting in preparation for the UNGASS against Corruption took place between 22-23 February. The issue-focused panel discussions alluded to strengthening existing commitments to the UNCAC, raising the bar on beneficial ownership transparency standards and turning to technological solutions for enhanced public access to key information. Check out our blog post here.
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First Regional Meeting for Sub-Saharan Africa
The UNCAC Coalition hosted an engaging discussion attended by around 20 representatives from civil society organizations from all over the region, focusing on the crucial issue of public procurement in times of COVID-19. See the highlights here.
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Are Whistleblowing Laws Working?
Together with the International Bar Association (IBA), the Government Accountability Project (GAP) has tracked whistleblower protection litigation in 38 countries in an unprecedented global effort to understand the successes and shortcomings of such laws and their application in practice. Find the report here.
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Illegal Garbage Trade In Malaysia
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) has launched a report on the import, transport and processing of plastic waste, entitled 'Malaysia is not a Garbage Dump.' Malaysia has become the top destination of garbage exports. The study highlights the impunity of involved actors, enabled by pervasive petty corruption and the complacency of regulators and businesses along the value chain. Read more here.
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Transparency International Strategy 2021-2030
TI's publication, 'Holding Power to Account – A Global Strategy Against Corruption,' identifies future challenges and opportunities in combating corruption. Faced with new contexts, forms and mechanisms of corruption, the Strategy aims for a world in which power is held to account for the common good. Find it here.
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UNODC Strategic Vision for Africa
The UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa 2030 outlines the mission to provide more safety to Africa’s people, government and institutions from drugs, crime, corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flows. Safeguarding people and institutions from corruption and economic crimes is highlighted as a priority investment area, with increased research and assistance going towards asset recovery and return, as well as illicit financial flows and money-laundering. Browse the document here.
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Read more about this month's Member in the Spotlight - TI New Zealand - here!
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Do you have relevant news or a success story linked to the UNCAC that you would like to feature in our next newsletter? Send us an email with the subject line "Newsletter" at info@uncaccoalition.org!
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