UNCAC IRG 15

Updated 1 September 2024 –

The first resumed 15th session of the UNCAC Implementation Review Group is taking place at the United Nations in Vienna Vienna, 28-30 August and on 2 September 2024.

From September 3-6, the UNCAC CoSP Working Group on Prevention is meeting.

  • You can find here an informal agenda of the IRG and the Working Group on Prevention meetings here – but those meetings are not open to civil society (unless you are able to join a government delegation). 

Annual UNCAC NGO briefing: Tue, 3 Sept, 10:00

The UNCAC Secretariat is holding the annual UNCAC NGO briefing on Tuesday, 3 September, from 10:00 to 11:30 (CET) at the UN in Vienna, Room M3. The event can also be viewed online.

Registration: the registration for this event has closed.

Written Submissions to the IRG

Organizations that are able to participate in the annual NGO briefing can make written submissions; they are published on the IRG webpage (Section: “NGO Documents”):

Civil Society Events during IRG week 2024

The UNCAC Coalition and some of its member organizations together with States Parties are organizing several discussion events during the IRG and Working Group on Prevention meetings.

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Strengthening the UNCAC IRM to Increase Transparency & Civil Society Participation

Wednesday, 28 August, 14:00-15:00 (CET): 
Organizers: United Kingdom, UNCAC Coalition 
Room: C Building, C-CR6

The UNCAC’s Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) lags behind in transparency, inclusiveness and follow-up. This session, organized by the UNCAC Coalition and the United Kingdom, aims to create a space for States Parties and civil society to share their good practices on these aspects, as well as concrete ideas on strengthening the IRM in its next phase. 

The event will feature speakers representing the United Kingdom, Mauritius, the Institute of Legislative Ideas (Ukraine) and the UNCAC Coalition. 

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Strengthening the UNCAC IRM to Increase Effectiveness & Practical Implementation 

Thursday 29 August, 14:00-15:00 (CET): 
Organizers: France, UNCAC Coalition, Mexico 
Room: C-Building, CR2 

Complementing discussions taking place in the context of the UNCAC Implementation Review Group meeting, this event seeks to present different experiences and approaches on how the next phase of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) could assess the effective implementation of the Convention at the national level. In its current phase, the UNCAC IRM puts a strong emphasis on the alignment of legal frameworks with UNCAC provisions but less so on the implementation in practice, including through an adequate institutional setup, and their enforcement.

The event will draw on the experiences of government experts from countries who have participated in reviews of different anti-corruption review mechanisms (such as GRECO, MESICIC, OECD and FATF), and will outline how those mechanisms seek to assess and establish the effective implementation of anti-corruption provisions – and what lessons can be drawn from those mechanisms. Civil society representatives will present their perspectives on how effective implementation can be assessed.

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The Role of the UNCAC in Bridging Anti-Corruption Efforts and Human Rights Protections 

Monday, 2 September, 14:00-15:00 (CET): 
Organizers: UNCAC Coalition, OHCHR, Switzerland
Room: M Building, M4
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdeuprD4iHdfTlKQyPbbDmq07kWsTyFun

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) includes several provisions that address issues pertinent to the protection of human rights. Effective implementation of the UNCAC can play a significant role in upholding human rights norms by combating corruption, which is often a root cause of human rights violations. At the same time, respect for human rights norms is essential for combating corruption and effectively implementing the UNCAC. Efforts to tackle corruption and promote human rights are mutually reinforcing since both demand accountability, participation, and transparency. 

This event aims to explore the critical intersection between anti-corruption efforts and human rights and how human rights mechanisms frequently reference the UNCAC to address these overlapping concerns

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Informal part of the UNCAC NGO briefing: 

Tue, 3 September: 11:30-13:00 (CET): 
Room: M Building, M4

CoSP10 follow-up

11:30-12:00 (CET):
This session will discuss ways for non-governmental stakeholders to engage in the implementation of CoSP10 resolutions and contribute to the deliberations of the next phase of the IRG, and provide space for an exchange of updates by civil society organizations and States Parties on efforts to advance the implementation of CoSP10 resolutions. 

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Civic Space and the Participation of Society in the Fight Against Corruption 

12:00-13:00 (CET):
This event will discuss global civic engagement trends in anti-corruption and highlight good practices and challenges to civil society participation in the fight against corruption. The event will focus on the importance of a safe and enabling environment to ensure that the conditions are present for civil society and investigative journalists to operate independently and without fear of reprisal in their efforts to combat corruption, as envisioned by the UNCAC, the UN Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS) Political Declaration, and the COSP10 Atlanta Declaration. 

Experts from CSOs and investigative journalism organizations will participate in the discussion and provide concrete recommendations for ensuring a safe and enabling environment for civil society actors to carry out anti-corruption work. 

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Panel discussion: Initiatives and tools to support transparency and accountability related to asset recovery and return under UNCAC 

Tuesday, 3 September 2024, 14:00-17:00 (CET)
Organizers: UNCAC Coalition WG on Asset Recovery, StAR
Conference Room M-3, M-Building, Vienna International Centre 
MS Teams Link: Teams

This session will discuss tools and initiatives to strengthen transparency and accountability in asset recovery, including presentations by StAR and civil society on concrete actions taken and resources available for CSO engagement.

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Women, Youth and Corruption: Exploring the Impact and Advancing Change

Wed, 4 September, 09:00-10:00 (CET):
Organizers: Sweden, UNCAC Coalition, U4
Room: M4
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwude6pqT8pEtaN_ygSfiGuoX2JBJXJpNPo

Corruption’s impact is not gender-neutral, nor is it age-neutral. Both women and youth of all genders face unique challenges and vulnerabilities in the context of corruption, with younger individuals, particularly young women, often experiencing a compounded effect due to the intersection of gender and age. The intersectionality of corruption with gender inequality and youth marginalization exacerbates the negative effects on young women and men, further hindering their access to essential services, economic opportunities, and political participation. This double burden can lead to a cycle of disempowerment, where younger people are disproportionately affected by corrupt practices that limit their potential and voice in society.

The gendered and age-related dimensions of corruption are often under-explored in policy discussions. To address this gap, this event aims to present and discuss the latest research evidence on the impact of corruption on women and youth, with a particular focus on younger women and the broader youth population, as well as to share recommendations and good practices for involving women and youth more effectively in anti-corruption efforts.

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Implementation of Article 7.3 on Political Finance Transparency: The Way Forward

Wednesday, 4 September, 14:00-15:00 (CET): 
Organizers: Transparency International, Albania, Norway
Room: M Building, M4

The financing of political parties and candidatures is necessary to conduct democratic processes such as elections. Well-resourced political parties can facilitate the participation of citizens in public affairs, the investment in the formulation of ideas and alternatives, and their communication to the voting public. However, when political finance is not accountable, it can empower dishonest actors who seek to distort elections for private gain and to manipulate contracts, resources and policies away from the common good and in their own interest.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) contains only one article on political finance transparency, and to date, there have not been any resolutions on the topic. UNODC, as the convention’s secretariat, has published thematic reports showing that basic transparency of the funding of political parties is still a prevalent challenge across the world. International Organisations such as IFES, IDEA, and Transparency International have also highlighted the need for an increased pace of domestic reform and international standards.

This side event will delve into progress made in the implementation of article 7.3 and will discuss the need for strengthened standards and guidelines to ensure that States Parties have political finance regimes that are fit for present challenges.