Director-General/Executive Director
Coordinator Mr. Richard Nephew,
Distinguished speakers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to join you today to discuss the role of civil society in the fight against corruption.
I would like to thank Her Excellency Under-Secretary Uzra Zeya for joining this forum.
I am also grateful to the UNCAC Coalition – a longstanding partner of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime – and its Managing Director Mathias Huter for joining us.
And I would like to welcome Sanjay Pradhan, CEO of Open Government Partnership, as he represents many civil society organizations present here today.
This session of the Conference of States Parties comes at a unique moment for the international anti-corruption agenda.
We are marking the landmark 20th anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption precisely at the halfway point of our journey towards Agenda 2030.
At the SDG Summit earlier this year, Member States underscored the urgency of taking accelerated action to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals by amplifying global efforts to combat corruption.
They recognized, too, that these efforts must involve civil society, who are a vital ally in our aspirations to achieve the SDGs and build a world united against corruption.
Civil society voices are needed more than ever, at a time when corruption is holding back societies and erecting roadblocks on our path to reaching the SDGs,
Corruption erodes the pillars of accountability, transparency and integrity that hold institutions together.
And strikes the fundamental rights that define our very humanity, including our right to justice, equal opportunities, and speaking truth to power.
Civil society should be the watchful protectors of these rights.They are expected to speak for everyone, giving a voice to the powerless, and are expected to adhere to the highest standards of transparency regarding their governance, their funding, and their impartiality.
When the voices of civil society are heard, transparency and accountability are protected.
Today, we stand united to speak up against corruption and amplify the voice of the voiceless, especially the most vulnerable in society, including youth, women, and the marginalized.
The UNCAC is our guiding light in these efforts. Following its adoption 20 years ago, it has gone on to achieve near-universal adherence.
As the guardian of the Convention, UNODC is proud to engage with civil society in supporting its implementation, and it has been my personal commitment to engage with civil society in all our work.
Since the last Conference of States Parties two years ago, we have engaged with over 1,000 civil society stakeholders on monitoring UNCAC implementation, and facilitated intergovernmental meetings between CSOs, governments and the private sector.
Our implementation review mechanism, launched in 2010, has built a bridge between governments and civil society, helping to develop comprehensive strategies, address the root causes of corruption, and champion sustainable solutions.
In the past decade, the mechanism has identified over 9,000 challenges in technical assistance and facilitated the exchange of 1,500 best practices to fill implementation gaps.
Many States Parties have facilitated country visits by civil society organizations, enabling them to engage in direct, formal consultations, and resulting in valuable recommendations and follow-up actions.
UNODC is also proud to partner with the UNCAC Coalition to drive these efforts forward.
We have supported the Coalition in establishing four regional platforms across Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America, to engage civil society in observing and promoting UNCAC implementation.
We have developed publications to provide guidance and assistance to civil society, along with capacity-building to fast-track implementation of the UNCAC.
And we provide legislative assistance to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks, including on whistleblower protection, a topic put forward in one of this year’s resolutions.
Excellencies,
Civil society bring an invaluable wealth of expertise to the table, grounded in grassroot experience and rigorous research.
They can identify gaps in implementation, provide advice, and build capacities.
Their value is reflected in the multitude of special events led or co-organized by civil society throughout the coming week.
Over 900 NGO representatives – a record-breaking number – will be contributing to this year’s discussions, showcasing the continued relevance and convening power of this forum.
This is an opportunity to share innovative approaches, best practices, and solutions to the challenges we face in the fight against corruption.
I encourage Member States to harness the diverse experience of civil society, and to collaborate with them to translate the outcomes of this Conference and the provisions of the UNCAC into tangible actions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The UNCAC has long recognized the indispensable role of civil society in fighting corruption. As we celebrate its 20th Anniversary, we also celebrate those who defend and champion its values.
In the words of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Rigoberta Menchu, “Without strong watchdog institutions, impunity becomes the very foundation upon which systems of corruption are built. And if impunity is not demolished, all efforts to bring an end to corruption are in vain.”
Together, let us ensure that our discussions in the coming days and beyond are not in vain, and that we include the irreplaceable voices of civil society, for a world united against corruption.
Thank you.