Western Balkan Jurisdictions Collaborate to Bolster Asset Recovery Efforts

25-26 November 2024, Budva, Montenegro - High-level representatives from Western Balkan jurisdictions gathered for a regional meeting on policy-level efforts to recover stolen assets. Organized by UNODC with funding from the Government of Italy, the meeting aimed to capture the most recent regional trends, measures, and best practices in asset recovery.

"This meeting is a significant contribution to enhancing knowledge, discussing potential models and identifying the most suitable solutions for effective asset confiscation," said Mr. Momo Koprivica, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro.

During the meeting, some 30 stakeholders from ministries of justice, prosecutor’s offices, asset recovery offices and asset management agencies reflected on the current state of asset recovery in their respective jurisdictions and presented their efforts in overcoming obstacles encountered during the asset recovery process.

"If there is political will and active international cooperation, progress can be achieved. Corruption cannot be eradicated overnight, but through joint efforts we can develop the tools needed to combat it," said Mr. Arben Fetai, Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia.

Discussions focused on legislative action undertaken in the region to enhance the normative framework governing asset recovery, including international cooperation. The meeting also served as an opportunity to exchange best practices in the establishment and operationalization of asset recovery offices. Experts from the Italian National Asset Recovery Office (ARO) presented the Italian approach to asset recovery and the functioning of their ARO office, offering valuable insights for the Western Balkans, where similar offices are currently being established.

The meeting was held under the auspices of the project "Strengthening Asset Recovery in the Western Balkans", implemented by UNODC under the umbrella of its Programme for South-Eastern Europe with the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The project focuses, among other things, on increasing international cooperation and exchange of information to enhance asset recovery processes in the Western Balkans.

This regional meeting followed a specialised workshop organized by UNODC in partnership with the Interagency Law Enforcement Academy of Italy in Rome within the framework of this project earlier this year. Looking ahead, further capacity development to enhance data collection on asset recovery is foreseen by the end of the year.

UNODC continues to support implementation of international standards in the fight against corruption and organized crime through its Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe, as well as the Regional Platform for Fast-Tracking the UN Convention against Corruption and the related Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap, which was endorsed by all jurisdictions in the region in 2021.

Stemming from identified challenges and recommendations emanating from the Implementation Review Mechanism operating under the UN Convention Against Corruption, UNODC supports the Western Balkan jurisdictions and provides a platform to ensure that local findings and actions are shared and complemented by policy dialogue and coordination at the regional level, to enhance the overall effectiveness of asset recovery efforts in the region.

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