Global Parliamentarians urge a stronger role in UNCAC.
Global parliamentarians from more than 30 countries gathered in Doha, Qatar, on 8 March 2023 in a bid to urge a more vital role for parliament to implement the UN Convention against Corruption effectively.
During a one-day event of Parliamentary Dialogue on UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) jointly organized by the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), parliamentarians critically highlighted how legislators could and should enhance their role to fully supporting the Convention.
“It is high time for us, as a parliamentary community, to have a stronger, greater role in UNCAC implementation at the national and international levels,” GOPAC Chair, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al-Marri stressed during the Dialogue.
The Convention was adopted in 2003 and is being recognized as the sole legally binding international instrument to fight corruption. However, after 20 years of its implementation, there are still challenges. Challenges even existed when Doha, Qatar, hosted the 3rd Conference of the State of Parties to UNCAC in 2009. “One of the suggestions during the Conference was to have the peer mechanism review. The challenge on this one was related to the sovereignty issue. However, by the end of the day, the mechanism review mechanism was adopted, and it became a unique feature for UNCAC,” he recalled.
The President of Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), H.E. Hamad bin Nasser Al-Missned, welcomed the Dialogue and praised the event’s organization. He stressed that the role of the parliament is critical to support UNCAC. “Their mandate to promote transparency and support UNCAC implementation is the key to successful anti-corruption measures,” he stressed.
In his opening, the UN Institute for Training and Research Executive Director, H.E. Mr. Nikhil Seth, expected that a frank and constructive dialogue could be developed in many anti-corruption issues. “We need practical and implementative actions to combat corruption. Action at the country level is critical in this regard,”
The UNODC, as the guardian of the Convention, highlights that more than 60% of implementation requires legislative measures. Brigitte Strobel-Shaw, Secretary of the Conference of the State Parties to UNCAC, in her opening remarks, as delivered by Giovanni Gallo, Chief Thematic Support Section, stressed that the UNCAC is a global instrument and acts as an agreed standard to combat corruption. “The Convention enjoys almost universal adherence. Its implementation is supported by the unique global peer review mechanism, which was adopted during the CoSP in Doha,”
The Dialogue brought together parliamentarians and GOPAC members from more than 30 countries across five regions attending in-person or virtually. It was an opportunity for the parliamentary community to reassess their involvement and engagement with UNCAC and review the current state of UNCAC implementation.
