Special events are meetings, presentations or panel discussions on topics that are relevant to the work of the Conference of the States Parties and that are held outside the formal proceedings. Whilst the organization of these meetings is coordinated and facilitated by the Secretariat, the sole responsibility for the content of these events (including promotional material and the events themselves) as well as for the related technical arrangements lies with the organizers.
These events are open to registered participants of the ninth session of the CoSP. The links for online participation to each event can be found on the INDICO platform to which registered participants have access.
The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. Events facilitated by the UN system are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with the event as provided by the Code of Conduct. (Guidelines on the organization of special events)
All times below are Sharm El-Sheikh time (EET).
ONLINE ONLY | Organizer: UNODC Regional Office for South East Asia and the Pacific | Co-organizer: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
The "Implementing a Pacific Pathway against Corruption" event showcased how the Pacific Island countries (PICs) implement anti-corruption measures through a whole-of-society approach. Panellists from governments, regional organizations, the private sector, media and UNODC highlighted how they sought, individually and collectively, to prevent and fight corruption. Measures included establishing integrity institutions with a direct or oversight role, promoting integrity in the private sector, or encouraging reporting on corruption. The adoption of the Teieniwa Vision as the Pacific roadmap against corruption, which builds on the Implementation of UNCAC and UNGASS commitments, has provided a robust platform for the Pacific voices to continue to be heard. Panellists highlighted how PICs aim to unite their "voice as a Blue Pacific to ensure that regional anti-corruption priorities are presented, where possible, as a collective". The framework for implementation of the Teieniwa Vision is currently under development.
The Summit | Organizer: State of Palestine
The event "Prevention of Corruption through Education", organized by the State of Palestine, highlighted the experiences of the anti-corruption agencies of the State of Palestine and Jordan with promoting anti-corruption education across the education system in both States parties. UNODC presented its work on anti-corruption, integrity and ethics education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels during the event. The event concluded with an open discussion with all attending participants.
ONLINE ONLY | Organizer: IDLO
The event "A rule of law approach to promoting integrity and rebuilding trust", organized by IDLO, called attention to the importance of ethics and integrity standards for public officials, particularly in the justice sector, as a means to garner trust in institutions. The event highlighted how effective and accessible justice systems can help counter corruption and build a culture of transparency and accountability. Panellists stressed that such systems are crucial to promoting a more inclusive and just recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and fully implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Panellists shared good practices and innovative ideas based on the experiences of diverse countries, including France, Indonesia and Namibia, and lessons learned from corruption cases.
Ste Catherine | Organizer: Honduras | Co-organizer: UNCAC Coalition
The 2021 UNGASS Political Declaration reaffirmed the importance of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) in the fight against corruption. Honduras signed the UNCAC Coalition Transparency Pledge to seek a multisectoral approach for this process. In this event, representatives from the public sector, civil society and academia discussed working together toward policy reform based on the IRM recommendations.
The Summit | Organizer: Greece
During the event, States parties presented national anti-corruption action plans and good practices for their implementation. References were made to specific actions to raise awareness of the dangers of corruption, the challenges faced in implementing the national anti-corruption policies, the synergies developed, and measures adopted to ensure compliance. The discussion focused on the impact and added value of multi-annual national anti-corruption strategies, promoted the exchange of ideas, and helped identify good practices.
El Wadi | Organizer: UNODC
The high-level event "Cross-border cooperation to end corruption: GlobE network — a global operational network of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities" promoted the newly established GlobE network. In her opening speech, Ms Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, emphasized how participation in GlobE contributes to the fight against corruption. Panellists - anti-corruption law enforcement practitioners on the front-line of fighting corruption - emphasized the critical role played by practitioner's networks in facilitating informal cooperation. Representatives of the World Bank shared how synergies between international organizations and networks can strengthen anti-corruption efforts. Other topics of discussion included the challenges and barriers in international anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation, the expectations of the GlobE Network and how to improve its effective and efficient operation. Information was provided on the background of the network, on the process of its establishment and the recent developments since its launch.
El Fayrouz | Organizer: Italy | Co-organizers: Fondazione Vittorio Occorsio, UNODC
The event provided a platform for discussion of the growing threats posed by using emerging technologies by criminals, particularly in money laundering, corruption, and transnational organized crime. The panellists discussed how money laundering through cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins, becomes a growing threat because of anonymity, transactions' speed, and transnationality involving multiple jurisdictions. Panellists discussed challenges in asset forfeiture and highlighted that addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including ensuring that confiscated assets will be used in the public interest and to achieve social development.
Ste Catherine | Organizer: Colombia
The event focused on how using new technologies and strengthening comprehensive compliance mechanisms prevent corruption in the public sector. Panellists from Colombia, Korea and the United States of America presented national initiatives, plans and policies related to the implementation of Chapter II of the Convention and the achievement of the commitments made in the UNGASS Political Declaration "Our common commitment to effectively addressing challenges and implementing measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation".
El Wadi | Organizer: UNODC
The event will bring together a group of prominent women leaders with integrity for a high-level panel discussion. The panel will serve as a forum to reflect on what an inclusive and gender-responsive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic should include in order to reflect the hallmarks of UNCAC, namely: integrity, transparency and accountability.
El Wadi | Organizer: Brazil
The event organized by Brazil addressed the measures to tackle corruption in the prison systems, considering the challenges faced within that environment. Panellists from Brazil and Paraguay's penitentiary and justice sectors, UNODC and EL PAcCTO (Europe Latin America Programme of Assistance against Transnational Organized Crime) experts shared their experience. The event highlighted the need for prison systems to strengthen their anti-corruption policies, noting that the development of organizational culture, operating procedures, independent corrective action, and intelligence activities gain special prominence in curbing illicit actions.
Ste Catherine | Organizer: Liechtenstein | Co-organizer: UNDP
Organized by the Principality of Liechtenstein and UNDP, the event provided a venue to exchange perspectives and explore the linkages between corruption and contemporary forms of slavery, including from a gender perspective. Sharing key takeaways from a new study on "Corruption and Contemporary Forms of Slavery", UNDP offered recommendations for the international community, governments, civil society, and the private sector to develop effective prevention strategies, including putting in place a global monitoring system. Focusing on the social, political, and economic factors that allow perpetrators to act with impunity, speakers from the Liechtenstein Initiative for Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking, OHCHR, SIDA, and the Basel Institute called for a comprehensive and integrated approach with multi-stakeholder engagement to further develop the global discourse. Panellists called for adequate measures to address the linkages between corruption and contemporary forms of slavery.
