26 May 2021 –
Just under one week to go until the first-ever UNGASS against Corruption takes place, the final preparations for the Special Session are well underway, with more details about the format, agenda and side events now available. The UNCAC Coalition shared information with civil society representatives in two identical briefings on 25 May, speaking about registration, ways to tune in to the session and advocacy opportunities before, during and after the UNGASS.
Format of the UNGASS
The UNGASS will take place in a hybrid format, with limited in-person participation, mostly by Member States. Other stakeholders, including civil society, will join virtually. Statements will be made by Member States, regional economic integration organizations party to the UNCAC (EU), observers to the General Assembly as well as other stakeholders, including NGOs (time permitting and only at the end of the Special Session).
The General Debate in the Plenary, the main agenda item, will take place between June 2-4 , It will be broadcast on UN Web TV as well as on the UNCAC Coalition website.
Registration and Participation
- NGOs with ECOSOC status can still apply for participation by contacting the NGO branch of UN DESA via web form and at email hidden; JavaScript is required
- All ECOSOC-NGOs should be approved
- A list of non-ECOSOC NGOs approved for the session is now available
- Instructions on how to register delegations (2-5 participants per organization) are still unknown. However, according to UNODC, it is likely that NGOs following the Session virtually, will not need to formally register a delegation.
The Political Declaration
The Political Declaration was approved during a special session of the UNCAC Conference of States Parties (CoSP) on 7 May. The final edited version will be made public in a few days, and the declaration will be formally adopted by the Member States in the UNGASS opening segment.
Tuning in and engaging during the UNGASS
The General Debate, including the statements made by high-level political leaders and heads of state will be publicly live-streamed on UN Web TV (where you should be able to listen to the statements translated into the six UN official languages). The UNCAC Coalition will follow these speeches, livestream the debate and provide commentary on it, through Twitter using the hashtag #UNGASS2021 as well as via a live blog.
You can participate by fact-checking and contextualizing your country’s statement:
- Use twitter (as well as other social media) to highlight and contextualize your country’s statement, reflecting on the following:
- Were any new efforts or commitments announced?
- Was important context and any corruption-related issues left out?
- Were there any factual inaccuracies in the statement?
- Comment on the speeches on twitter, using: #UNGASS2021 #countryname
- Tweet in English for international audience (as well as in local language)
Side Events
A total of 42 side events will take place, starting on 1 June, during fixed time slots. The schedule and registration links for side events are constantly being updated on this page.
The UNCAC Coalition is hosting a pre-UNGASS civil society-led side event to analyse the commitments made in the political declaration on 31 May, at 3.00PM Vienna time (CET). The event will include a series of lightning talks from leading civil society experts who will provide comments on their specific area of expertise and discuss what further commitments and actions are needed. Registration for this event is open by clicking here.
The UNCAC Coalition is also participating in a side event with the UNODC on 4 June at 8.00PM Vienna time (CET). Registration and more details for this event are forthcoming.
Final advocacy efforts
It is not too late for civil society to make its voice heard at the UNGASS! You can:
- Reach out to your government and provide input or suggestions for the statement during the General Debate
- Alert journalists and your audiences to pay close attention to your country’s statement, highlighting any comments you may have on its content
- Organize a press release in the run-up to the UNGASS, highlighting your expectations
- Organize a press release shortly after the UNGASS, commenting on the statement that was made by your country
- Campaign on social media, using the guidelines and hashtags indicated above
Stay tuned for the UNCAC Coalition’s live blog and commentary on the UNGASS 2021 as it happens on this page. Do not hesitate reach out to us at email hidden; JavaScript is required with any queries, learn more about the UNGASS here and sign up to our newsletter for monthly updates.