Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), 6 March 2024 – In an initiative aimed at combating corruption through proactive partnerships between government agencies, civil society, and the media, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Mongolia’s Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) are joining forces this week.
From 6 to 7 March in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, a workshop is taking place to underscore the critical role of civil society organizations and the media in the fight against corruption.
“By harnessing the power of civil society and the media, we can foster a culture of integrity and accountability that transcends borders and transforms societies," said Annika Wythes, UNODC Southeast Asia and Pacific Anti-Corruption Team Lead. "This corruption prevention workshop represents a crucial step in our collective efforts to combat corruption in Mongolia.”
Titled ‘Harnessing the Role of Civil Society and the Media to Address Corruption’, the workshop signifies a significant strengthening in Mongolia's anti-corruption efforts, fostering collaboration and empowering stakeholders to effect tangible change. Key objectives of the workshop include to formally recognize the role of non-State actors in Mongolia’s efforts to address corruption, to facilitate knowledge exchanges among stakeholders, as well as to identify areas that require technical assistance to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives, both from civil society, the media, and from government stakeholders.
"We are pleased to partner with UNODC in organizing this important workshop, which underscores our commitment to promoting transparency and combating corruption in Mongolia in line with Mongolia’s new National Anti-Corruption Strategy. By working together, we can harness the collective strength of civil society and the media to drive positive change and build a more just and equitable society," said Bolorchimeg Jargalsaikhan, the IAAC Senior Foreign Affairs Officer.
The Corruption Prevention Workshop marks a significant milestone in Mongolia's anti-corruption journey, highlighting the invaluable contributions of civil society and the media in the fight against corruption, said Joel Ortez, Regional Security Officer at the US Embassy in Ulaanbaatar. This Mongolian dialogue is the first activity of UNODC's integrity work under the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Mongolian Law Enforcement Training project.
It will be complemented by other UNODC work taking place this week in Mongolia, including a United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Review Follow-Up and Implementation Workshop taking place from 4 to 5 March as well as a Workshop on Confiscated Assets happening today.
Click here to learn more about UNODC’s anti-corruption efforts in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Click here to access UNCAC Review documents for Mongolia.
