1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption and Its Review Mechanism

2. 1. Introduction to the Convention 2
1. Introduction to the Convention 2. The Review Mechanism as an inter governmental Process 3. The role of non-governmental stakeholders -in the fight against corruption -in the Review Mechanism

3. The United Nations Convention against Corruption
Adopted by the General Assembly: Resolution 58/4, 31 October 2003
Entry into Force: 14 December 2005 3

4. The United Nations Convention against Corruption
Preventive
measures
Criminalization
and law
enforcement
International
cooperation
Asset recovery

5. Inter-governmental bodies to the UNCAC
Conference of the States Parties
Implementation Review Group
Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Prevention
Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Asset Recovery
Open-ended intergovernmental expert meetings to enhance international cooperation under the Convention

6. The Implementation Review Mechanism
Art. 63, para. 7:
[…] the Conference of the States Parties shall establish, if it deems it necessary, any appropriate mechanism or body to assist in the effective implementation of the Convention.

7. Third session of the Conference of the States Parties Doha, from 9 to 13 November 2009
Resolution 3/1:
Establishes the Implementation Review Mechanism
Contains the terms of reference for the Mechanism
Based on the outcome of the deliberations in the Working Group on Review of Implementation

8. Overview of the Terms of Reference
Peer review process
An inter-governmental process (Para.4 ToRs)
Drawing of lots for each year of the review cycle
One phase = two cycles of five years ( ; )
First cycle: Chapters III (Criminalization and law enforcement); and IV (International cooperation)
Second cycle: Chapters II (Preventive measures); and V (Asset recovery)

9. Goals of the Mechanism: (para. 11, TORs)
Assist States parties in their implementation of the Convention
Help States parties to identify and substantiate specific needs for technical assistance and to promote and facilitate the provision of technical assistance;
Promote and facilitate international cooperation in the prevention of and the fight against corruption, including in the area of asset recovery;
Promote and facilitate the exchange of information, practices and experiences gained in the implementation of the Convention;

10. Guiding principles Non adversarial/ non punitive/ no rankings
Opportunity to share good practices and challenges
Assist States in implementing the Convention
Balanced geographical approach
Technical/ Intergovernmental nature
Complement existing review mechanisms
Take into account diversity of legal systems and levels of development
Confidentiality

11. Impact of the Review Mechanism
Legislative reform: before and after review
Increased domestic coordination and dialogue
Opportunity for capacity-building
Sharing of experiences and good practices with reviewing and reviewed States
Action plan: prioritization of country-owned technical assistance needs
Donor roundtables and donor coordination platforms

12. Looking forward First cycle: moving towards completion
160 executive summaries now completed and available
More nearing finalization
Second cycle: Prevention and Asset Recovery
Launch of 2nd cycle with drawing of lots at IRG7 – started: 4 July 2016
Development of expertise and good practices in these areas
Lessons learned from first cycle

13. What is the role of Civil Society in combatting corruption?
UNCAC Preamble:
“Bearing in mind that the prevention and eradication of corruption is a responsibility of all States and that they must cooperate with one another, with the support and involvement of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, if their efforts in this area are to be effective,”

14. Art. 13 Participation of society
1. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures, within its means and in accordance with fundamental principles of its domestic law, to promote the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption and to raise public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of and the threat posed by corruption…

15. What is the role of Civil Society in the UNCAC?
Article 1. of the UNCAC provides:
The purposes of this Convention are:
(a) To promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively; (b) To promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery;
(c) To promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.

16. I. Possible avenues for engaging on UNCAC activities
The Corruption and Economic Crime Branch is the Secretariat of the UNCAC (States)
The civil society team within DPA is the entry point and liaison for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engagement with UNODC
The UNCAC Coalition
The governmental focal point who coordinates the State Party’s participation in the review

17. CSO participation in Inter-governmental bodies to the UNCAC
CoSP:
non-governmental organizations having consultative status with the Economic and Social Council may apply to the bureau for observer status (Rule 17)
Other relevant NGOs may apply to the Bureau (through CST) for observer status
NGO Briefing
(resolution 4/6 of the Conference)

18. Role of Civil Society in the Review Process
Consultation in the Self-Assessment Checklist (Art. 28 of the ToRs)
Participation in the Direct Dialogue (Art. 30 of the ToRs)
Encourage publication of the final report (Art. 38 of the ToRs)
Support the addressing of TA needs identified

19. Useful resources

20. …CSO and Governments hand in hand
In a perfect world….
…CSO and Governments hand in hand

21. But its possible…

22. For further information:
Division for Treaty Affairs
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
P.O.Box 500 Vienna
A-1400 Austria
Tel:
Fax: