The UNCAC Coalition, a global network of over 350 civil society organisations (CSOs) in over 100 countries.
Established in August 2006 in Vienna, the Coalition mobilises civil society action for UNCAC at international, regional and national levels. The UN CAC’s framework is so comprehensive that it is relevant for a wide range of CSOs. Consequently, the Coalition includes international, regional and national groups working in the areas of anti-corruption, human rights, labour rights, governance, economic development, environment and private sector accountability. For a full list of our CSO co-members click here.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. The Convention's far-reaching approach and the mandatory character of many of its provisions make it a unique tool for developing a comprehensive response to a global problem. The Convention covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalisation and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange. The Convention covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector. A highlight of the Convention is the inclusion of a specific chapter on asset recovery, aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners, including countries from which they had been taken illicitly. The vast majority of United Nations Member States are parties to the Convention.
What we do
The Coalition engages in joint action around common positions on the UNCAC, facilitates the exchange of information among members, and supports national civil society efforts to promote the UNCAC. Coalition members share views via the Coalition website and a mailing list and ad hoc working groups.
The Coalition supports civil society organisations to engage in and contribute to the UNCAC review process, including through technical support.
The Coalition, directly and through its members, advocates for greater transparency and space for civil society participation in all UNCAC fora – the Conference of States Parties, the meetings of the Implementation Review Group, working groups and the review process on the national level.
Furthermore, the Coalition seeks to advance discussions on key issues covered by the Convention, including:
● Access to Information
● Asset Recovery
● Beneficial Company Ownership Transparency
● Protection of Whistleblowers and Anti-Corruption Activists
Why joint action is important
Effective anti-corruption work demands efforts not
only from governments but also from civil society organisations, the private sector and the greater public.
The need for participation of civil society and the importance of access to information are explicitly recognised in Article 13 of the UNCAC.
Without pressure from civil society groups, government anti-corruption commitments may remain mere window dressing. Without coordinated global action by a wide range of civil society groups, the UNCAC may not achieve its promise.
