Page last updated: 1 September 2023
The Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) is the main decision-making body of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
All states that have ratified the UNCAC are automatically part of the Conference of the State Parties. Other states (signatories and non-signatories), intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations can apply for observer status at CoSP sessions.
The CoSP meets every two years and adopts resolutions and decisions aimed at building States parties’ capacity and cooperation to achieve the convention’s objectives as well as promoting and reviewing its implementation. It operates under Rules of Procedure adopted by the Conference.
The 10th Session of the UNCAC Conference of the States Parties (CoSP10) will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 11-15 December 2023
A Civil Society Forum, an Academic Symposium and a Youth Event will be taking place before the CoSP, between Saturday and Sunday 9-10 December. To participate in these events, CoSP10 accreditation is not necessary. You can register for these events here.
Official websites of the UNCAC CoSP10
- CoSP10 website of the United States (host country): https://cosp10.us/
- UNODC’s official website for the CoSP10: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/corruption/COSP/conference-of-the-states-parties.html
UNCAC Coalition CoSP10 Mailing List Communities
If you are an NGO representative or academic planning to attend in person or online the 10th UNCAC CoSP, the UNCAC Coalition invites you to subscribe to our CoSP10 Mailing List Communities where we will coordinate advocacy efforts and share relevant information before and during the conference. Fill out the form here!
Applications to attend the CoSP
The call from UNODC for non-ECOSOC NGOs to apply to participate in CoSP10 has already closed – the firm deadline was 23 June 2023.
- ECOSOC NGOs, in particular those that have not recently participated in UNCAC CoSPs, should express their interest in participating by sending an email to the UNCAC Secretariat: email hidden; JavaScript is required. They will then receive an invitation in September.
Please see our guidance regarding US visa below.
Applications for CoSP10 special events
The call from UNODC for applications for special events closed on 26 August 2023. Kindly note that the UNCAC Coalition is not involved in the process of organizing or selecting which events will be held at the CoSP10: this process is moderated by UNODC.
Applying for a USA-entry Visa
- NGO participants should apply for B1/B2 Visas (combined).
- Even if no visa appointments are available for your country until after the CoSP10, we strongly encourage you to apply to participate in the CoSP10 and for a U.S. visa as soon as possible: US consulate can provide expedited visa appointments. These can be requested through a dedicated email address or form by the respective consulate.
- The application fee should be the same worldwide ($160), but some countries have reciprocity fees that could tack on additional costs if the visa is approved.
- If you must choose between B1or B2 for the DS-160 application form when B1/B2 is not available for whatever reason or for reciprocity fee differences, please choose B1 visa, as that is for business travel (“Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates”).
- If you need to provide a supporting document for your visa appointment, we suggest you use this call for applications from UNODC.
- If the DS-160 form asks you to provide a contact person or organization in the United States, you can name UNODC:
- UNODC New York Office
United Nations Headquarters
DC1 Building
Room 613
One United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: +1 (212) 963-5698
Contact person: N/A
- If you enjoy visa-free travel (eligible through ESTA), you do not need an additional visa for the CoSP. In this case, you should travel through the ESTA like all ESTA-eligible travellers.
- If your ESTA is denied for whatever reason, e.g., travel to a “state sponsor of terrorism” (Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria), you would then need to apply for a visa to enter the US.
Pre-CoSP CSO briefings
You can find here the presentation on UNCAC CoSP10 registration and logistics that the UNCAC Coalition during a second briefing for civil society in May 2023.
Fullscreen ModeThe UNCAC Coalition hosted a first civil society briefing in February 2023 on basic information and advocacy plans for the Conference. Did you miss out? Catch up by watching the event recording below, or by scrolling through the slides.
Useful links & resources
- Guide for governments: Supporting meaningful civil society: participation and contributions around the UNCAC CoSP: https://uncaccoalition.org/guide-for-governments-supporting-meaningful-civil-society-participation-and-contributions-around-the-uncac-cosp/ or download as a PDF file (in English)
- Host country’s official conference website: https://cosp10.us/
- UNODC’s general CoSP webpage: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/corruption/COSP/conference-of-the-states-parties.html
- UNODC’s guidance note on NGO participation at the CoSP: https://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/UNCAC/COSP/session8/Guidance_note_participation_of_NGOs_in_COSP_and_subsidiary_bodies.pdf
- More information about the previous CoSP9: https://uncaccoalition.org/uncac-bodies/conference-of-states-parties/cosp9/