November 2015 - 110 NGO representatives participated in the 6th Conference of the States Parties (COSP6) which took place from 2 to 6 November in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and contributed meaningfully to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The Conference presented an important occasion for civil society to strengthen its voice in the national and international fight against corruption.
Civil Society side-event in St Petersburg |
Nine resolutions were passed during the five days of the Conference. Among them, one referred to education and training. The resolution recognizes the value of education, which acts as a catalyst for eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, and contributes to inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development. It also highlights the need to develop education and information programmes in order to promote a culture of transparency and accountability at all levels of society.
This is one of the key messages UNODC promotes in its work with civil society in addressing corruption. On the first day of the Conference during the special event on "Making the review of the UN Convention against Corruption more effective", Mirella Dummar Frahi, UNODC Civil Society Team Leader, explained that since 2011, UNODC and the UNCAC Coalition have been successfully organizing training programmes, carried out with support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as well as other donors, to inform Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the UNCAC review mechanism. The multi-stakeholder workshops had improved dialogue between Member States and CSOs, including facilitating the latter effective participation in the UNCAC implementation.
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As of today, 248 CSOs from 96 countries have been equipped with the substantive expertise in UNCAC provisions, informed about the methodology for country reviews and empowered with capacities to reproduce the training at the national/regional level and to contribute to anti-corruption efforts. Moreover, according to the latest statistics, some 85% of States Parties have already involved civil society in the first review cycle.
Another very important resolution of the Conference focuses on the adoption of the second review cycle of the UNCAC. The cycle will be launched in 2016 and will examine Chapter II on Preventive Measures and Chapter V on Asset Recovery of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Effective prevention will require reaching out to broader civil society organizations and to the public at large. Therefore, on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, being held on 9 December, UNODC is inviting you to join this year's campaign: Break the Corruption Chain.
Visit www.anticorruptionday.org for further information and to download materials that can be used in the lead up to 9 December and on the day itself. You can also follow the Anti-Corruption Campaign Facebook Page and use the hashtag #breakthechain to join the conversation