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The United Nations Convention against Corruption
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is the most comprehensive international anti-corruption agreement between States. What makes the UNCAC unique in comparison with other conventions is both its global coverage, with presently more than 140 members, as well as the extent and detail of its provisions, including issues such as asset recovery.
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| The UNCAC was negotiated over a two-year period at the United Nations office in Vienna by representatives of more than a hundred countries from all regions, many from the Americas. Transparency International and other civil society organisations also participated in the process. The text of the Convention was presented for approval at the United Nations General Assembly on 31 October 2003. Once approved, it was opened for States to sign, starting with a signing conference in Merida, Mexico on 9-11 December 2003. The annual International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December now marks the anniversary of this conference. |
The UNCAC was initially signed by 111 countries. It was was ratified in September 2005 and entered into force on 14 December 2005. Since then, its members have met in 3 occasions in the framework of the Conference of States Parties of the UNCAC: in 2006, 2008 and 2010. In the last Conference of States Parties in Doha, november 2009, an intergovernmental review mechanism for the UNCAC was adopted, in order to evaluate and improve the implementation of the UNCAC in each country.
The UNCAC obliges the State Parties to implement a wide and detailed range of anti-corruption measures affecting laws, institutions and practices. These measures aim to prevent, detect and eradicate corruption, as well as to increase the international cooperation on these matters.
