United States will host the tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP) of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta, Georgia from December 11th through the 15th, Richard Nephew, Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption announced this at a roundtable held here at Foreign Press Centers.
Nephew, who serves as the President-designate of COSP, outlined the critical role the conference will play in advancing anti-corruption efforts on a global scale.
The UNCAC, often referred to as the most comprehensive and universally accepted international anti-corruption treaty, provides a clear framework for countries to prevent and combat corruption. It covers various aspects, including prevention, criminalization of corruption, law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance, addressing different forms of corruption such as bribery, trading influence, and abuse of function.
Nephew highlighted the significance of the COSP, as it serves as the major policymaking body for the UNCAC. It convenes every two years, adopting resolutions and decisions to support the convention’s implementation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC and the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption.
The conference will also see the adoption of the U.S.-sponsored resolution, “The Atlanta Declaration,” focusing on accountability in all its forms and addressing key anti-corruption priorities. Furthermore, Nephew encouraged citizen and civil society engagement during the event, with pre-conference events on December 9th and 10th, including an economic symposium, a Young Changemakers Event, and a civil society forum.
Addressing a question on the strategy to combat corruption, Nephew acknowledged that dealing with this global issue requires a multifaceted approach. He emphasized the importance of prosecution, sanctions, and prevention in addressing corruption, recognizing that each case may require a different strategy. He also discussed the role of restitution and reparation as means to provide accountability.
Nephew also touched on the persistence of corruption in various countries, and its impact on democratic renewal. He stressed that anti-corruption is integral to the success of democratic societies, as corruption can hinder the delivery of essential services to the people.
The upcoming COSP conference in Atlanta is expected to be a significant milestone in the ongoing global efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
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