Highlights from the first four sessions of the UNCAC Conference of States Parties

1st CoSP, Amman (Jordan), December 2006

• States Parties acknowledge that the establishment of a review mechanism for the UNCAC is of 'paramount importance' and 'urgent'.
• Creation of intergovernmental working groups on review of implementation, asset recovery and technical assistance.
• Creation of a Pilot Review Programme, using a combined self-assessment / group / expert review method. Programme operational from mid-2007 to November 2009. Where requested by the country under review, on-site visits are conducted to assist in undertaking the self-assessments and preparing the recommendations.

2nd CoSP, Bali (Indonesia), January-February 2008

• Disagreements on the form the review mechanism should take, in particular regarding the transparency of the process and the participation of civil society, leading to postponement of a decision on this until the following session.
• Continuation of the working groups created at the first COSP and emphasis placed on the recovery of stolen assets.
• Expansion of the Pilot Review Programme for country self-assessment and peer review.

3rd CoSP, Doha (Qatar), November 2009

• A major step is taken with the adoption of an Intergovernmental Review Mechanism for the UNCAC. The purpose of the review mechanism is to evaluate and assist progress in the implementation of the Convention in each country. It begins operation in July 2010. The Mechanism includes an Implementation Review Group (IRG) to oversee the review process.
• Intergovernmental Working Group is continued on asset recovery and created on prevention issues. The working group on technical assistance is incorporated into the IRG.

4th CoSP, Marrakesh (Morocco), October 2011

• A compromise was reached that postponed a decision on the observer issue for CSOs and provided in the meantime, for a briefing and dialogue with CSOs on the margins of IRG meetings.
• The Intergovernmental Working Groups on Asset Recovery and Prevention were continued and an intergovernmental group of experts on international cooperation was established.
• A collection of CSO review reports submitted by the UNCAC Coalition were included in the official conference documentation.

"Scenes from a Global Anti-Corruption Summit": four video segments

The video series Scenes from a Global Anti Corruption Summit documents civil society participation at the 2nd UNCAC Conference of States Parties held in Indonesia in 2008 and showcases interviews with civil society participants.

What is the UNCAC? What happens at an UNCAC Conference of States Parties? Why is it important for CSOs to be there? What actions does the UNCAC Coalition undertake? Why do anti-corruption activists need protection? The 4 short video segments produced by Transparency International aim to provide some answers.

The videos from Scenes from a Global Anti-Corruption Summit range from 4 to 9 minutes long and consist of:

Your feedback would be welcome! Also, help spread the word by linking to or embedding this video series on your web pages and sharing them via online communities.