10 June 2025 –

The first resumed 16th session of the UNCAC Implementation Review Group is taking place at the United Nations in Vienna, from 16 to 20 June. At the same time (starting 17 June) the UNCAC Working Group on Prevention will hold its 16th session.

Both meetings, as all UNCAC subsidiary bodies, are not open to CSOs. However, the formal agenda of both sessions includes pertinent discussions on topics of high relevance to civil society, such as:

• Deliberations on the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) next phase , which is expected to be adopted in CoSP11.
• Corruption involving organized criminal groups;
• Protection of reporting persons;
• Beneficial ownership information in order to detect, deter and prevent acts of corruption and to enhance the recovery and return of assets;
• Prevention of corruption in procurement at various government levels and the effective use of information and communicationstechnologies to prevent, detect, deter and counter corruption in procurement;

Annual UNCAC NGO briefing

The UNCAC Secretariat is holding the annual UNCAC NGO briefing on Tuesday, 17 June, from 13:00 to 15:00 (CET) at the UN in Vienna,.

Location: Room M3, M Building, Vienna International Center, and online (for CoSP 10-accredited CSOs only).

Registration: the registration for this event has closed.

During the briefing, which is also open to States parties, the UNCAC Secretariat will deliver presentations and provide updates on the basis of the IRG session reports. CSOs are encouraged to deliver oral statements that provide information on their efforts related to UNCAC implementation (without discussing specific country situations).

Civil Society-led events during IRG week 2025

Leading anti-corruption CSOs, together with the UNCAC Coalition, and in collaboration with States parties, are organising the following panel discussions on the sidelines of the IRG and Working Group on Prevention meetings;

Building momentum towards strong action at UNCAC CoSP11 to tackle the interlinkages between corruption, environmental crime and climate

Date: Monday, 16 June, 14:00-15:00 CET

Organizers: Peru, France, UNCAC Coalition, Wildlife Justice Commission, Transparency International

Location: M3, M Building, Vienna International Center, and online 

Description: This event will spotlight major gaps in current frameworks and implementation and highlight key anti-corruption tools to tackle the intersection between corruption, crimes that affect the environment and climate change, such as beneficial ownership transparency, procurement integrity and transparency, international cooperation, and mitigation of corruption risks in climate finance. Speakers will emphasize the urgent need to embed climate and environmental crime considerations into anti-corruption strategies, deliver targeted technical assistance and capacity building, and foster inclusive, multi-stakeholder collaboration with civil society and other non-state actors.

Speakers: 

• Opening remarks: Nicolas Karges, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations and theInternational Organizations in Vienna.
• Yonatan Yakir, Programme Manager & UN Affairs Lead, UNCAC Coalition (Moderator) 
• Lisa Hartevelt, Director of Policy, The Wildlife Justice Commission & Chair of the UNCAC Coalition’s Working Group on Environmental Crime and Corruption.
• Alexnadra Manea, Senior Counsel (Anti-Corruption), World Bank . 
• Kristen Robinson, Head of Advocacy, Open Contracting Partnership.
• Closing remarks: Carlos Alberto Sanchez Del Aguila, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations (Vienna).

Registration link for online participation: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zS3rntecTcy26oe5I9StiQ 

State of Implementation of Article 7.3 on Political Finance Transparency

Date: Wednesday, 18 June, 13:15-14:15 CET 

Organizers: Norway, Transparency International 

Location: M7, M building, Vienna International Center

Description: Article 7.3 of the UNCAC calls on States Parties to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates and political parties as means to prevent risks of corruption in public policy making.  The UNCAC Secretariat’s Thematic Reports on the Implementation of Chapter II (Preventive Measures), consistently point to the lack of comprehensive regulation or administrative measures on political finance as a most prevalent challenge faced by States Parties.  This event will explore progress made in implementing Article 7.3, examine continuing challenges, and discuss the way forward for stronger standards through a CoSP resolution. 

Speakers: 

• Shervin Majlessi, Chief, Convention Support Section, UNODC
• Jens Oscar Nergaard, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development of Norway.

The full list of speakers will be updated shortly.

Defending Civic Space in the Fight Against Corruption Amid a Changing Global Landscape

Date: Wednesday, 18 June, 14:00-15:00 pm CET

Organizers: United Kingdom, South Africa, UNCAC Coalition

Location: M3, M building, Vienna International Center, and online 

Description: Civic space and civil society organizations, particularly those fighting against corruption, are facing a new kind of challenge. The changes in the political landscape of key State actors created an immediate impact, including substantial financial cuts in foreign aid that jeopardize the existence of many CSOs fighting corruption worldwide. These policy and geo-political shifts are adding to the growing concern about the fulfillment of the fundamental rights necessary for the promotion and protection of meaningful civic space. The panel will discuss the evolving situation of civic space in the fight against corruption, as well as challenges and recommendations related to the way States parties are reviewed for their implementation of UNCAC article 13 on the participation of society. 

Speakers: 

• Opening remarks: Zahra Asif, Policy Advisor, Joint Anti-Corruption Unit, Home Office, United Kingdom
• Opening remarks: Pleasure Matshego, Director, Ethics, Integrity and Conduct Management, Department of Public Service and Administration, South Africa. 
• Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO, Accountability Lab. 
• Andrea Rocca, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Transparency International.  
• Betina Pasteknik, Head of Operations and Working Groups, UNCAC Coalition, & Co-Chair of the UNCAC Coalition Working Group on Human Rights and Corruption
• Mathias Huter, Managing Director, UNCAC Coalition (Moderator) 

Registration link for online participation: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qsjR1kp7RYCW_UARQ_ybQQ 


 

Civil Society Perspectives on Strengthening Whistleblower Protection through Resolution 10/8 Implementation 

Date: Thursday, 19 June, 13:30-15:00 pm CET

Organizers: European Union, Government Accountability Project, and the UNCAC Coalition Working Group on the Protection of Whistleblowers and other Reporting Persons

Location: Room M2, M Building, Vienna International Center  and online 

Description: This event, hosted by the European Commission, will explore how civil society contributes to the effective implementation of UNCAC Resolution 10/8 on the protection of reporting persons. Drawing on findings from a new civil society-led study covering 31 countries, speakers will highlight regional challenges, legal gaps, and promising practices. The panel will focus on practical experiences from Europe, Latin America, and Africa, and examine the ways civil society supports legal reform, assists whistleblowers, and strengthens reporting systems in collaboration with public institutions. Topics will include the role of CSOs in negotiating Resolution 10/8 and applying it in national reforms; the risks whistleblowers face and how to create safe channels for reporting in Africa; and the current landscape and legal reform efforts in Latin America. The discussion will emphasize the need for inclusive, cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure meaningful protections for whistleblowers in law and practice. The hybrid-format panel will include a moderated discussion, Q&A, and access to key resources and the civil society report.  

Speakers:

• Opening Speaker: Paul Hafellner, Legal Officer, Fundamental Rights Policy Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), Representative of the European Union  
• Moderator: Samantha Feinstein, Staff Attorney & Director, International Program, Government Accountability Project (GAP), USA 
• Jorge Martínez Rivera, Founder, Whistleblower Chile   
• Marie Terracol, Whistleblower Protection Lead, Transparency International  
• Vladimir Radomirović, Editor in Chief, Pištaljka, Serbia  
• Zeineb Abdennebi, Project Manager, The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa  (PPLAAF)

Registration link for online participation will be provided soon