Posted by: Gillian Dell
in MyBlog on Nov 26, 2009
On Friday the 13th 2009, the Doha deal on the UNCAC review mechanism was concluded! (Resolution L9). The deal was adopted by approximately 106 States Parties represented at CoSP3 -another 14 governments were there as observers. Its a landmark in establishing the first ever UN peer review mechanism. But its not a deal to celebrate-how could we celebrate an anti-corruption mechanism that is allowed to operate in secrecy on a government-to-governme t basis? A review process with no requirements of non-governmental inputs, no required country visits, no required publication of reports (only of summaries). All optional!
Posted by: Andrea Figari
in MyBlog on Nov 13, 2009
Friday 13: An unlucky day for Article 13 of the Convention.
9.00 As our daily coalition meeting opens, word is that there is a mechanism - "Habemus deal"
However, small groups are still making the last changes to the final resolution adopting the long expected review mechanism.
Posted by: Andrea Figari
in MyBlog on Nov 12, 2009
Doha Chronicles. Day 4. Negotiations on Thursday were closed to NGOs most of the day. The Working Group on Review of Implementation, headed by the Argentinean Ambassador Eugenio Curia, met with the heads of delegation of countries sponsoring the two (almost opposing) resolutions for most of the day. Not even members of those delegations were in that room -so strong was the need to make progress and iron out differences.
Posted by: Andrea Figari
in MyBlog on Nov 10, 2009
Doha Chronicles. Day 2. And here is another edition of the Monitor from Doha. The focus for this edition was to highlight the positive experiences of other review mechanisms -as the debate is getting hot today and tomorrow. The point is to show that many countries here, including some of those blocking progress, are already being monitored under one or other anti-corruption or anti money laundering system. You will also see a big photo of our action "Spelling it out" which received local coverage in the Qatar times -but in a few other local and international newspapers.
Posted by: Georg Neumann
in MyBlog on Nov 8, 2009
Today, one day ahead of the Conference of States Parties, civil society is meeting to prepare with representatives present coming from East-Timor and Cambodia, to Argentina and the US.
The preparations included discussions with the UN representative of the UNCAC secretariat, Elsa Gopala Krishnan, as well as government representatives. Lilian Ekeanyanwu of the Government of Nigeria gave a quick insight into the discussion taking place among the states party to the UNCAC.
But I think it is fundamental that we make clear what the effects of the corruption are.
One important number to keep in mind throughout the following days is US$ 40 billion. According to Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, "there's an estimate that $20-$40 billion a year, in terms of corruptly stolen assets, leaves developing countries to go to developed countries each year."
Posted by: Andrea Figari
in MyBlog on Nov 6, 2009
We made it to Doha -bringing at this stage over 330 signatures from civil society organizations supporting the establishment of an open, transparent and inclusive review mechanism. And counting!
Watch this space to read news about progress in this crucial Conference of States Parties of the UNCAC. Civil society has a full programme to offer -come back to see what we will be up to.
