7 July 2025 –

This December, the 11th Conference of the States Parties (CoSP11) to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) will take place in Doha—marking the sixth time this global anti-corruption forum is hosted in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. For civil society organizations across SWANA, this represents a significant opportunity to bring regional priorities to the international stage, showcase their critical work, and push for stronger implementation of the UNCAC.

In anticipation of this landmark event, the UNCAC Coalition convened its third SWANA Regional Meeting for this year, on June 25. The meeting brought together civil society actors from across the region to align advocacy strategies, identify joint initiatives for CoSP11, and build practical skills to strengthen their collective impact.

A Regional Moment in a Challenging Environment

The meeting took place against a backdrop of shrinking civic space, declining international aid, and an increasingly constrained operating environment for NGOs in the region. These realities make CoSP11 not only a rare moment for visibility but a crucial platform for amplifying civil society voices that are often sidelined. Participants emphasized the urgency of leveraging this opportunity to spotlight SWANA’s anti-corruption efforts and advocate for meaningful reforms.

Aligning Priorities Across the Region

Following an opening update by Yonatan Yakir, Programme Manager and UN Affairs Lead at the UNCAC Coalition, participants engaged in a roundtable discussion to share pressing national and regional anti-corruption concerns. Topics ranged from barriers to transparency and public procurement risks, to weak enforcement mechanisms and threats to civic participation. The dialogue surfaced common themes and helped shape a shared regional advocacy agenda for CoSP11.

Turning Ideas into Action

In a dynamic brainstorming session, participants developed concrete proposals for engaging in CoSP11. These included co-hosting regional side events, drafting joint civil society statements, and launching coordinated media campaigns to raise awareness of corruption challenges and reform efforts in the SWANA region. The goal: ensure that SWANA civil society is not only present but influential in shaping the agenda and outcomes of the conference.

Building Strategic Advocacy Capacity

A key highlight of the meeting was a hands-on training session led by Mouheb Karoui, Regional Coordinator for SWANA. The workshop introduced participants to essential strategic planning tools tailored for advocacy-driven NGOs. It covered how to define clear objectives, map stakeholders, develop effective messaging, and assess risks in complex political environments. The session emphasized collaboration, adaptability, and outcome-oriented planning—key competencies for advancing anti-corruption work in restrictive contexts. Participants walked away with actionable frameworks to strengthen their organizational planning and prepare more effectively for CoSP11 and beyond.

Next Steps Toward CoSP11 & Call to Action

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to refine advocacy priorities, coordinate proposed activities, and maintain momentum in the lead-up to December. By uniting their voices and strategies, SWANA civil society organizations are seizing this crucial moment to drive forward the anti-corruption agenda and demand stronger accountability from their governments.

To follow SWANA civil society’s journey to CoSP11 and explore opportunities for engagement, visit the UNCAC Coalition COSP11 webpage and stay tuned for updates from the region’s advocacy efforts.