Corruption is a global problem that affects us all, undermining institutions and impacting individuals, countries and societies. Its corrosive effects drain resources, exacerbate inequalities, fuel conflict and weaken democracies. To address this, we work with governments, anti-corruption practitioners, the private sector and civil society, including youth and academia, to ensure that corruption does not stand in the way of development. UNODC supports the translation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption commitments into tangible action.
Learn about corruption and its various facets and the key content of the United Nations Convention against Corruption as a landmark treaty in the global efforts to combat corruption. Delve into various thematic areas to discover how we assist States to unravel the complexity of this crime. Get acquainted with the Convention’s main policymaking body – the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP).
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 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 this global threat. The Convention covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the Convention, its signature and ratification status, the Convention’s ground-breaking Implementation Review Mechanism and its outcomes, and UNODC’s anti-corruption hubs and platforms.
The Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, also known as CoSP, is the main decision-making body of the Convention. It supports parties and signatories in their implementation of the Convention and provides policy guidance to UNODC to develop and implement anti-corruption activities. Learn more about CoSP and its four subsidiary bodies.
17-21 February 2025
Sixteenth session of the Implementation Review Group
16-20 June 2025
First resumed sixteenth session of the Implementation Review Group
Sixteenth session of the Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption
1-5 September 2025
Second resumed sixteenth session of the Implementation Review Group
Nineteenth session of the Working Group on Asset Recovery
Fourteenth open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting to enhance international cooperation under the Convention
Discover the wealth of knowledge portals, databases, dedicated pages, tools and resources developed and collected by UNODC. Explore our extensive catalogue of services, allowing you to select what caters best to your interests and needs.
The Legal Library of the Tools and Resources for Anti-Corruption Knowledge portal provides access to legislation and information on the implementation of UNCAC worldwide, searchable by each Convention provision.
The database provides access to the outcome documents of the Implementation Review Mechanism, including full country review reports and executive summaries, and to other country-based information on the Convention’s implementation.
The Global Operational Network of Law Enforcement Authorities facilitates transnational cooperation on corruption cases. The GlobE community of practitioners is growing fast. On the GlobE Secure Communications Platform they connect and collaborate directly, securely sharing information and good practices to detect, investigate and prosecute corruption. With the UNODC and partners, the Network seeks to make cooperation on transnational corruption cases effective and efficient world-wide.
The GRACE initiative works at all levels of education: primary, secondary, tertiary, informal and adult education. Its dedicated portal provides insights into ongoing activities and grants access to a wealth of resources aimed at fostering a culture of rejection of corruption.
The Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, in partnership with the World Bank Group, supports international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds. Its dedicated portal provides access to a rich array of publications and knowledge on asset recovery.
