By exercising their legislative power, national parliaments and legislative bodies have been instrumental in promoting adherence to the United Nations Convention against Corruption and its rapid entry into force. In addition, national parliaments are central in enacting laws necessary to implement the Convention and to follow up on the recommendations stemming from the Convention’s Implementation Review Mechanism and its corresponding country reviews. In addition to their legislative functions, national parliaments and legislative bodies perform the equally important oversight function, which is necessary to hold executive branches to account.
Most recently, in the political declaration adopted by the General Assembly during its special session against corruption in 2021, Member States recognized the vital role of national parliaments and legislative bodies in adopting and monitoring policies and practices intended to contribute to the implementation of the Convention. Member States also emphasized the need to promote the role of parliaments and other legislative bodies in managing public finances and ensuring effective budget oversight, and strengthen relations between legislatures, supreme audit institutions and other oversight bodies. Therefore, national parliaments and legislative bodies play a key role in the implementation of the Convention, through legislation, oversight and promoting transparency and accountability to prevent and combat corruption at all levels.
UNODC, 2021
This background paper was prepared by UNODC, as the secretariat of the Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC, for the twelfth session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Prevention (14-18 June 2021).
