Strengthening the IRM: UNCAC Coalition submission to the 15th Implementation Review Group

In the context of the first resumed 15th session of the Implementation Review Group (IRG), the UNCAC Coalition presents the following submission on making the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) stronger and more effective.

The submission is based on a consultation involving more than 400 civil society organizations in 110 countries. 

We call on UNCAC States Parties to put in place an UNCAC review mechanism that is #FitForPurpose.

Key recommendations

  1. Increase transparency: publish all inputs and outputs of the review process; publish information to facilitate civil society participation in the review process (review timelines, government focal points, entry points for CSOs etc.); ensure that relevant information is available in an accessible and open-data format on UNODC’s website. 
  2. Strengthen civil society participation: require countries to engage stakeholders at key moments of the review process and during follow-up; allow civil society to participate as observers in the IRG; increase funding and capacity building to CSOs to facilitate their participation in review processes and follow-up. 
  3. Increase efficiency: mandate UNODC to publish and update a global calendar of reviews. If delays occur, these should be explained and addressed; increase coordination and co-operation with other review mechanisms. Peer reviewers should be allowed to incorporate findings from other review processes.
  4. Establish a structured follow-up process for reviews: require States to complete self-assessment checklists on the implementation of recommendations from the first and second review cycles; ensure that future reviews take into account whether previous recommendations have been met; require States to publish annual progress reports on the implementation of recommendations, new developments and challenges faced. 
  5. Strengthen evaluation of implementation in practice: develop indicators to assess the impact of and compliance with national anti-corruption frameworks to better evaluate implementation of the UNCAC in practice; encourage peer reviewers to consider CoSP resolutions during country review processes; ensure transparency and civil society participation in technical assistance efforts.
  6. Launch the next phase of the IRM at the next Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) in 2025. 
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