Context in which this group operates
Asset recovery is a priority for States Parties to the UNCAC and a key component of efforts to address the consequences of corruption. Addressing corruption without also planning for and supporting the recovery of stolen assets risks undermining the deterrent effect of the Convention, allowing perpetrators to retain the proceeds of their crimes and depriving societies of resources that could otherwise contribute to public goods and development.
However, asset recovery is not only a matter of legal and technical processes between States. The way in which assets are identified, frozen, confiscated, returned and ultimately used can have significant implications for transparency, accountability and public trust. Recovering assets without the meaningful participation of citizens and civil society risks leaving the underlying conditions that enable corruption unaddressed and weakens the shared incentive to fight corruption.
Although asset recovery is a priority for many States Parties, it is not yet a priority for all. Moreover, assets are still too often recovered through closed-door and opaque processes, with limited public information and insufficient opportunities for civil society and affected communities to participate. Victims can also be excluded from both participation in asset recovery processes and access to compensation or other forms of reparation.
The Asset Recovery Working Group therefore focuses on strengthening transparency, accountability and meaningful civil society participation throughout the asset recovery process. It provides a space for civil society organisations to exchange experiences, coordinate responses to structural and case-based challenges, and engage collectively in global discussions on asset recovery.
Objectives
The objectives of the Asset Recovery Working Group are to:
- Enhance transparency in asset recovery, including the publication of data and case-based information
- Strengthen civil society coordination in responding to structural and case-based asset recovery challenges
- Ensure meaningful civil society participation in asset recovery discussions at the global level
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