News from the United Nations Anti-Corruption Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh

“Women deserve to be protected from the disproportionate impact of corruption on their lives, in this time of crisis more than ever. But they are not just victims but agents of change; the world needs women to help lead the fight against corruption.

“Precisely because of the trials that they face, women are equipped to bring in unique perspectives in building back with integrity after the pandemic.”

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,

speaking at a special event at the conference on Women Leaders in Integrity

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), launched a new initiative on Wednesday aimed at children and young people. GRACE is a new educational initiative which aims to equip the international community with knowledge & experience working with educators, academics, youth & anti-corruption authorities to foster a culture of rejection of corruption.



Addressing the gender dimensions of corruption was at the forefront of two special events on Wednesday. One looked at how gender equality can be practically anchored in and facilitated through the CoSP processes to promote gender equality through anti-corruption and vice versa.



Another special event focused on how women in business are affected differently by corruption than men, sharing practical experiences from around the world on how after the pandemic, as women entrepreneurs rebuild their businesses, they act as a catalyst for ethical business.



Other topics discussed at special events on Wednesday included tools and best practices for asset recovery, the role of national parliaments and other legislative bodies in preventing and fighting corruption, women as drivers for fair and ethical business, and making progress in the integrity and fight against corruption in post-conflict environments looking at the case study of Somalia.



New photos of the conference are here Photos can be downloaded and used with the appropriate photo credit.

Coming up today

Events on Thursday 16 December at the Conference

Asset recovery is on the agenda in the Plenary from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by international cooperation from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Plenary will discuss the follow-up to the General Assembly Special Session against Corruption on challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation.



Topic of the day: recovering with integrity from the COVID-19 pandemic



The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented emergency for the global community and affected almost every aspect of society as well as creating opportunities for corruption to thrive.

Governments have dedicated enormous resources to responding to the pandemic and its resulting economic challenges while needing to act quickly in the evolving crisis. Since corruption flourishes in times of medical and economic emergencies where disorder and confusion are prevalent, swift action is needed by Member States to counter corruption and emerge stronger and more resilient from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more in Arabic and English

Special events on Thursday, 16 December

Cross-sectoral response to corruption in Kuwait

El Wadi | Organizer: Kuwait

Time: 09:00-10:00



Multi-stakeholder collaboration in anti-corruption: A perspective from the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group

El Fayrouz | Organizer: Indonesia | Co-organizer: Australia

Time:09:00-10:00



Beyond COVID-19

Ste Catherine | Organizer: UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch

Time: 09:00-10:00

The event will identify key transparency and accountability measures that States parties can take now to better prepare for future emergencies in line with the forward-looking commitments related to crisis response and recovery outlined in the UNGASS political declaration. The event will bring together representatives of national anti-corruption authorities, public procurement bodies and oversight institutions to discuss ongoing challenges, good practices and emergency preparedness measures in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.



Strengthening the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption at the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) level

Nile Valley | Organizer: SADC, Malawi | Co-organizer: Angola, Namibia, South Africa

Time: 09:00-10:00



Honour our commitments to strengthen international anti-corruption cooperation, and deny safe havens to the corrupt and the proceeds of corruption

El Wadi | Organizer: China | Co-organizer: UNODC

Time: 12:00-13:00



Southeast Europe together against corruption

El Fayrouz | Organizer: UNODC Civil Society Unit | Co-organizer: Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI)

Time: 12:30-13:30



Anti-corruption prosecutors under attack

Ste Catherine | Organizer: Basel Institute on Governance | Co-organizer: Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)

Time:12:00-13:00



Trends, challenges and good practices in preventing and fighting corruption

ONLINE ONLY | Organizer: Council of Europe

Time:12:30-13:30

As the world is evolving at a rapid speed so do the measures in preventing and fighting corruption. Are we effective or is corruption becoming worse? Discover with us the trends and developments that occurred in the last decade.



Strengthening the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism

El Fayrouz | Organizer: UNCAC Coalition | Co-organizes: Switzerland, Honduras

Time:15:30-16:30



Private sector financial institutions: On the frontline of financial integrity

ONLINE ONLY | Organizer: UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch

Time: 16:00-17:00



Taking stock of the work of the Expert Group Meeting on Corruption and International Investments organized in line with COSP resolution 8/9

Nile Valley | Organizer: UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch | Co-organizer: UNCTAD, Norway / NORAD

Time: 15:30-16:30



Challenges and opportunities on the implementation of the 40th paragraph of the political declaration of UNGASS: The experiences of the Portuguese speaking Countries

El Wadi | Organizer: Angola | Co-organizers: Brazil, Portugal

Time:19:00-20:00



Integrity in border management

El Fayrouz | Organizer: UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa / CRIMJUST | Co-organizers: UNODC AIRCOP, European Union, G5 Sahel, UNCCT (all tbc)

Time: 19:00-20:00

The effectiveness of law enforcement authorities fighting drug trafficking and transnational crime across borders heavily depends on institutional integrity and accountability. This approach is evident in the EU-funded programmes CRIMJUST and AIRCOP, as well as in the support provided to the G5 Sahel.



Civil society champions against corruption: Showcasing regional best practices

Ste Catherine | Organizer: UNODC Civil Society Unit | Co-organizer: United Kingdom

Time: 19:00-20:00

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) can be involved in the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) at all stages from the review process to its implementation. Article 13 of the Convention encourages States Parties to promote the active participation of civil society in the prevention and fight against corruption.



More information on Thursday’s special events here



The full Programme for the Conference is available here



Resolutions

Eight draft resolutions are being considered this week, addressing issues including prevention, the role of supreme audit institutions, asset recovery, beneficial ownership education, law enforcement cooperation, regional approaches and operationalizing the UNGASS political declaration. A resolution focusing on strengthening anti-corruption international cooperation during times of emergencies and crisis response and recovery, entitled the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration, is expected to be adopted at the session.





Reminder of the COVID-19 measures at the conference

All the participants attending in person are required to strictly observe the precautionary and contingency measures during the Conference. Please make sure you wear your masks inside the conference centre at all times, except when eating or addressing a meeting. You are also reminded that everyone entering the conference venue is required to have a COVID-19 test every 48 hours, at no cost to the participants.  For more information and details on where the COVID-19 tests are available see the COVID-19 measures here.

Information for the media in English and Arabic is available here



Conference website of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)



Conference website of the Host Country

Webcasts of the Plenary meetings will be available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish as well as the language spoken on the conference floor

For further information contact: