*Information provided by the organizers of the side events
Orangeraie room, 24 and 25 October 2011
(by invitation)
Organizer: UN Global Compact
Launched in 2005, the Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle (Anti-Corruption Working Group, ACWG) consists of participants representing companies, business associations, local networks, think tanks, civil society organisations, and international organisations. Providing strategic guidance and advice on the work of the Global Compact's 10th Principle, the ACWG developed a number of critical resources for companies engaged in anti-corruption efforts, and mobilised business action in support of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
On 24 and 25 October, the ACWG will convene its 9th Meeting with approximately 60-70 participants from all around the world to engage in highly interactive discussions on incentives for improving policy and corporate anti-corruption performance and existing practices for anti-corruption preventive measures. They will report progress made on anti-corruption collective action projects in five emerging markets and in the three subgroups (risk assessment, oil and gas, public private dialogue). In addition, participants will review how to integrate business perspectives into the Rio+20 and new projects such as Water and Corruption as well as Corporate Governance and Anti-Corruption will be introduced.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Olajobi Makinwa
Head, Transparency & Anti-Corruption Initiatives
UN Global Compact Office
makinwa@un.org (send e-mail)
Oliveraie room, 25 October 2011
Organizer: The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and development (BMZ)
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is currently revising its anti-corruption strategy. During the event, the key aspects of the new strategy will be presented. To illustrate Germany's current engagement in the field of anti-corruption, selected partner countries will present their project experience.
The session aims to utilize the vast knowledge of the participants to generate feedback and discussion around the draft strategy.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Philipp Jahn
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
E-mail: philipp.jahn@giz.de (send e-mail)
Plenary I, 25 October 2011
Organizer: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
The issue of illicit capital flows has emerged as one that is central to the mandate of UNODC: garnered through the proceeds of illicit trafficking and other forms of organized profit motivated crime, dirty money promotes bribery and corruption, finances insurgency and, in some cases, terrorist activities. It also destabilizes and deters legitimate enterprise, foreign investment and development. While work has been done, including by UNODC, to estimate the proceeds of various transnational criminal activities, there remain considerable knowledge gaps, including on the extent to which these proceeds flow through the international financial system. At the side event, UNODC will present the results of a study which is intended to make a contribution towards filling these knowledge gaps.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Thomas Pietschmann
Research Officer
Studies and Threat Analysis Section, UNODC
E-mail: thomas.pietschmann@unodc.org (send e-mail)
Orangeraie room, 25 October 2011
Organizers: The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Brazil
This event is an informal informational presentation regarding a new initiative, the Open Government Partnership. Representatives of the initiative's current co-chairs, including Minister Jorge Hage of Brazil, will provide an overview of its history, goals, methodology, and status, after which they will invite questions and discussion.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a new multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. Its objectives are consistent with the measures enshrined in UNCAC. In the spirit of multi-stakeholder collaboration, OGP is overseen by a steering committee of eight governments and nine civil society organizations. To become a member of OGP, participating countries must embrace a high-level Open Government Declaration, deliver a country action plan developed with public consultation, and commit to independent reporting on their progress going forward. The OGP is open to any country that exhibits a demonstrated commitment to open government in four key areas of transparency and participation, as measured by objective indicators. For more information, see http://www.opengovpartnership.org/
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Robert Leventhal
E-mail: LeventhalR@state.gov (send e-mail)
OR
Ms. Roberta Solis Ribeiro
E-mail: Roberta.ribeiro@cgu.gov.br (send e-mail)
Oliveraie room, 25 October 2011
Organizer: International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)
The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Republic of Austria, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and other stakeholders, is a pioneering international organization that aims to overcome current shortcomings in knowledge and practice in the field of anti-corruption. In pursuing this aim, the Academy will function as an independent centre of excellence in the field of anti-corruption education, training, networking, cooperation and academic research.
IACA is the only institution of higher education in the world which offers an executive Master's programme in anti-corruption studies. In the course of the side-event, IACA will introduce its interdisciplinary Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS), which will start in 2012. The presentation will be complemented by a question and answer session. Furthermore, alumni of the first International Anti-Corruption Summer Academy (IACSA), which took place this year at the IACA premises in Laxenburg (Austria), will give an inside view of this special training event. Under the heading 'Practice meets Science', IACSA will again be offered in the coming years. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to actively participate in a panel discussion with representatives of IACA, the Moroccan authorities, UNODC officials and academics.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Franziska Kandolf
E-mail: cosp2011@iaca-info.org (send e-mail)
[Download Information note and Provisional Agenda]
Orangeraie room, 25 October 2011
Organizers: UN Global Compact, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Transparency International (TI), and the World Economic Forum/Partnering against Corruption Initiative (WEF/PACI), in cooperation with UNODC
This High-Level Forum is designed to offer an opportunity for dialogue between Government and private sector representatives on how to use the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to promote a level playing field for global competition and to strengthen private sector participation in the implementation of the Convention. UNCAC is the sole universal legal instrument designed to prevent and fight corruption in both the public and private sectors that embodies innovative and globally accepted anti-corruption standards. Furthermore, UNCAC provides a coherent and uniform set of guidelines for the private sector that has been globally recognized and endorsed and hence the Convention's success is of vital interest to international business. For most multination enterprises increased participation in emerging markets has become a top strategic objective. Utilizing UNCAC to promote a level playing field would benefit emerging and industrialized countries. This would accelerate continuing support for UNCAC. The forum will cover issues such as progress on and strengthening UNCAC implementation, promoting a level playing field in global markets, and collective action programs in key industry sectors.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Fritz Heimann
Transparency International
E-mail: Fritz.Heimann@ge.com (send e-mail)
Orangeraie Room, 26 October 2011, 9 - 10 a.m.
Organizers: the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative in partnership with INTERPOL
The Focal Point Initiative is a global network fostering cooperation among expert practitioners (investigators, prosecutors, and other officials) in the pursuit of proceeds of corruption stowed abroad. In line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and Resolution 3/3 of the Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC, the network allows asset recovery and confiscation practitioners to identify counterparts around the world who can give immediate assistance to trace and freeze stolen assets prior to Mutual Legal Assistance taking its course. Over 100 countries have now joined the new asset recovery Focal Point Initiative.
This event will provide an overview of what the Focal Point Initiative is and what it is doing, showcased by some of the network's expert practitioners in asset recovery. Details will be provided on particular aspects of the Focal Point Initiative including the database of asset recovery practitioners available for consultations, the secure communications it offers, meetings to facilitate face-to-face case cooperation that will enhance trust and confidence, and the Focal Point Initiative's relationship with similar regional initiatives.
For additional information please contact:
Lindy Muzila
The Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative
E-mail: lmuzila@worldbank.org; lindy.muzila@unodc.org (send e-mail)
OR
INTERPOL
General Secretariat
Anti-Corruption Office
E-mail: STAR@interpol.int (send e-mail)
Diamant room 25, 26 and 27 October 2011
Organizer: Coalition of the Civil Society Friends of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC Coalition)
This event is organized by the Coalition of the Civil Society Friends of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (also known as the UNCAC Coalition). It aims to share best practices, from a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) point of view, in the implementation and monitoring of the UNCAC with Government representatives. In three segments on consecutive days, the event covers key topics on the agenda of the Conference of the State Parties to the UNCAC. The first of these interactive sessions looks at the best examples of transparency and CSO participation in the UNCAC review process. Further segments examine positive experiences with public access to information and citizens' involvement in the fight against corruption in selected countries. Critical issues in relation to improving asset recovery and anti-money laundering efforts are the focus of a further segment. A final panel discussion looks at best practice pertaining to the implementation of article 13 of the Convention on participation of society and article 33 of the Convention on protection of reporting persons. The UNCAC Coalition is a global network of over 310 civil society organisations in 100 countries ( www.uncaccoalition.org).
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Gillian Dell
Programme Manager, Conventions
Transparency International (TI)
E-mail: gdell@transparency.org (send e-mail)
Oliveraie room, 26 and 27 October 2011
Organizer: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)/ Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), in cooperation with UNODC
The workshop focuses on participatory approaches to enhance accountability and counter corruption in the delivery of public services, with emphasis on those related to the Millennium Development Goals. The objectives are to:
(a) Strengthen the participants' capacities to formulate programs and strategies to enhance public sector accountability and counter corruption, including the use of modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);
(b) Provide participants with conceptual frameworks and tools to improve accountability and counter corruption through citizens' engagement, including the use of ICT tools;
(c) Identify best practices and lessons learnt in accountability and corruption prevention, especially in the case of participatory approaches, as well as obstacles and key challenges;
(d) Create and strengthen networks of accountability and corruption prevention experts and practitioners, to create and disseminate knowledge on citizens' engagement practices for these aims; and
(e) Identify needs and opportunities for international technical cooperation in relation to accountability and anti-corruption policies and citizens' engagement.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Roberto Villarreal
Chief
Development Management Branch
Division of Public Administration and Development Management
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
E-mail: rvillarreal@un.org (send e-mail)
[Weblink to Organizers Website]
Orangeraie room, 26 October 2011
Organizer: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Fighting corruption and promoting integrity have been identified as the cornerstone of governance reforms that will support sustainable and inclusive growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region). In New York last September, members of the Deauville Partnership called for international organizations to support governance reforms in the region and to enhance their coordination. Answering this call, the UN, the OECD, the Arab league and the Union for the Mediterranean pledged in a Statement to create a Network and join their efforts to implement the frameworks of the Deauville Partnership.
Formally launching this Network, this Session offers an opportunity for the key organizations involved in the fight against corruption, to provide together, a follow-up forum for these organizations and MENA countries to share good practices and experiences from other regions in the implementation of international anti-corruption conventions and report on progress made over time. The Forum will also provide an opportunity to strengthen the coherence of technical assistance through information exchange and coordinated support.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Janos Bertok
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
E-mail: janos.bertok@oecd.org (send e-mail)
Oliveraie room, 26 October 2011
Organizer: Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC)
Parliamentarians have a constitutional responsibility to require the Executive Branch to be publicly accountable to financial operations, to openly report to parliament on its exercise of the powers and public resources granted, and to directly and publicly provide its interpretation of the appropriateness and wisdom of those actions.
During the Forum, discussion will focus on how parliamentarians can hold governments accountable to ensure the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and to solidify that a proper reporting system is in place for UNCAC.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Priya Sood
GTF Program Advisor
Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC)
E-mail: priya.sood@gopacnetwork.org (send e-mail)
Orangeraie room, 26 October 2011
Organizer: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime/ Programme Office in Indonesia
Corruption in environmental sectors can have a devastating impact on the environment. Illegal practices range from embezzlement in the implementation of environmental programmes, grand corruption in the issuance of permits and licenses for natural resource exploitation, to petty bribery of law enforcement officials. A number of sectors are particularly vulnerable to corruption. These include, in particular, forestry, water supply, oil exploitation, fisheries, hazardous waste management, and illegal trafficking in endangered species.
In some cases, countries have adopted environmental laws implementing relevant multilateral agreements on environmental sustainability. However, corruption distorts the enforcement of such laws. In other cases, the lack or the weakness of regulations in the areas of both anti-corruption and environmental protection allows unsustainable practices and activities to be continued.
To tackle corruption in environmental sectors, the active engagement of a multitude of stakeholders is crucial. The commitment of policy-makers, especially of resource-rich countries, the practices of private entities in refraining from exploiting natural resources by unlawful means, as well as local populations and civil society asking the right questions on the effects of exploiting resources have an important role to play. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is a useful tool for all stakeholders, as it promotes anti-corruption measures and activities in both the public and private sectors.
The side event aims to raise awareness about the impact of corruption and related offences on the environment through expert presentations on the risks of corruption in selected sectors, focusing on the negative effects of corruption on the sustainability of natural resources, livelihoods and the economy. The side event will further explore the uses of UNCAC as a tool to address these problems.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Ajit Joy
Country Manager, Programme Office in Indonesia
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
E-mail: ajit.joy@unodc.org (send e-mail)
Orangeraie room, 27 October 2011
Organizers: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Morocco, in cooperation with UNESCO, World Bank and OECD
Over the past decade, notable progress has been made on each individual Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) including some poor countries. Such success shows that the MDGs can be achieved. Yet progress is uneven between and within regions and countries and often too slow to meet the 2015 deadline. Some countries may not reach all of the MDGs without renewed commitment and concerted action to address the major bottlenecks such as leakages of resources.
As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in his message on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2009 said, "When public money is stolen for private gain, it means fewer resources to build schools, hospitals, roads and water treatment facilities…", evidence around the world shows that it is crucial to address the issues of resource leakages to accelerate the progress on MDGs. Recognizing the importance of preventive measures mentioned in Chapter 2 of UNCAC, the fourth session of the Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC has also chosen a general theme, focusing on the prevention and fight against corruption and the achievement of the MDGs. The Member States have also expressed their commitment to fight corruption to accelerate the progress to achieve the MDGs by 2015 through the outcome document of 2010 MDG Summit, "Keeping the promise: United to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals" and the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) of the fourth Conference of the Least Developed Countries.
The aim of this event is to bring together various technical assistance providers to discuss how to address corruption risks by integrating anti-corruption efforts in sectors (such as promoting participation, transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsiveness in health, education and water sector) with an objective of contributing to strengthening preventive measures as stipulated in UNCAC. More specifically, the event will: (a) Bring together representatives from multilateral and bilateral institutions, member states and civil society organizations to discuss why and how to address corruption in sectors (e.g., education, water and health); (b) Share tools, methodologies and good practices on anti-corruption in various sectors; and (c) Discuss how a sectoral approach to fighting corruption contribute to UNCAC review process and the implementation of UNCAC.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Anga Timilsina
Programme Manager
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
E-mail: anga.timilsina@undp.org (send e-mail)
Orangeraie, 27 October 2011, 8.30 - 11 a.m.
(by invitation)
Organizer: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The event aims to provide a high-level interactive platform for key stakeholders in Arab countries to discuss the specific actions in 2012 within the Anti-Corruption Integrity in the Arab Countries (ACIAC) project framework, and how to give new impetus to anti-corruption in light of ongoing regional developments and the lessons learned from the first round of the UNCAC review mechanism.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Arkan El-Seblani
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
E-mail: arkan.el-seblani@undp.org (send e-mail)
Orangeraie room, 27 October 2011
Organizer: UN Women, in cooperation with the Ministry of Modernization of the Public Sector of the Kingdom of Morocco, UNDP and UNODC.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in its Chapter III requires the criminalization of several types of corruption. While the Convention does not distinguish between material and immaterial undue advantage, conventional approaches tend to under-report the types of corruption that have a disproportionate impact on women, such as demanding sexual favors in return for access to public services. Such kinds of corruption are unlikely to be reported to and addressed by traditional oversight mechanisms. Furthermore most commonly used and internationally accepted corruption measurement tools are gender blind: neither do they undertake sex-disaggregated data collection nor are the tools and instruments designed in a way to analyse the impact of corruption from a gender perspective.
Article 13 of UNCAC recognizes that civil society is critical to the prevention of corruption. The UNCAC implementation review process is likely to become more effective from a gender equality perspective if women's groups and community watch groups are included. The results of the review processes can be used to advocate for State Parties to review and upgrade their legal frameworks on corruption and enhance the gender responsiveness of their public accountability mechanisms. Examples of tools and processes that can be used by women to demand greater accountability include participatory/gender responsive budgeting, right to information laws, community score cards and social audits. Unless anti-corruption initiatives are accompanied by a deliberate attempt to involve women, the gender-specific effects of corruption are unlikely to be identified and addressed.
Key points to be addressed by panelists at the side event include:
1. Identifying gender specific impacts of corruption
2. Identifying gender responsive corruption measures and anti-corruption initiatives
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Leila Rhiwi
Programme Management Specialist, Officer-in -charge
UN Women Morocco
E-mail: leila.rhiwi@unwomen.org (send e-mail)
[Download Concept Note - French]
Oliveraie room, 28 October 2011
Organizer: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation with UNODC
The United Nations Human Rights Council - the intergovernmental human rights policy- and decision- making body of the United Nations - adopted seven resolutions between 2000 and 2008 in which Member States affirmed the mutually reinforcing relationship between good governance, effective anti-corruption measures and the protection of human rights. The Council has recognized the increasing awareness in the international community of the detrimental impact of widespread corruption on human rights, including through the weakening of institutions and the erosion of public trust in government, as well as the impairment of the ability of Governments to fulfil their human rights obligations, particularly the economic and social rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized (resolution 7/11, 2008).
The objectives of this side event are:
- to inform and update participants on the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its subsidiary bodies and various other UN human rights mechanisms in the area of human rights and the fight against corruption;
- to discuss how human rights considerations can contribute to the fight against corruption, including its prevention, on the one hand, and the protection of the human rights of those implicated in corruption cases, on the other;
- to exchange views and ideas aimed at promoting policy coherence in the implementation of human rights and anti-corruption conventions and treaties; and
- to discuss possible concrete measures to integrate human rights considerations into the UN anti-corruption agenda, with particular focus on supporting Member States and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to implement the UN Convention against Corruption.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Ayuush Bat-Erdene
Chef
Right to Development Section
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
E-mail: abat-erdene@ohchr.org (send e-mail)