Future of UN Convention Against Corruption In the Balance at Doha This Week

As the 4th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) approaches, governments are deadlocked over how to monitor compliance. Decisions made at the November 9-13 meeting in Doha, Qatar, will determine whether this global framework will fulfill its promise of curbing corruption and its destructive impact on millions of people.

The UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) established a global framework for the prevention, detection and prosecution of corruption, and for the legal and technical cooperation necessary to prosecute cases and recover stolen assets. It has been ratified by 141 countries to date.

Effective implementation will depend on parties establishing and participating in an effective, transparent and inclusive review mechanism. G20 Leaders committed in Pittsburgh to adopt such a mechanism, but a few key governments are threatening to block progress.

Transparency International is one of more than 300 civil society groups collectively demanding effective monitoring of UNCAC at the conference in Doha. TI, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and UN Global Compact, secured the support of 24 CEOs for the mechanism. TI submitted recommendations for a review mechanism and TI Chair, Huguette Labelle, will lead a civil society delegation of almost 40 TI chapters and experts who will encourage countries to live up to their commitments.