# UNCAC CoSP10: Enhance transparency of political finance URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/uncac-cosp10-enhance-transparency-of-political-finance Type: Press release Published: 2023-12-06 Updated: 2023-12-08 --- More than 100 organisations call on States Parties to prioritise and enhance political finance transparency as part of the UNCAC framework 06 December 2023 To the United Nations Convention against Corruption Conference of the States Parties Atlanta, Georgia, 11 to 15 December 2023 Distinguished Delegates, We, the undersigned civil society and international organisations, representing a diverse range of voices from across the globe, address this crucial gathering of the 10th Session of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of the States Parties in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As staunch advocates for democracy, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, we express our collective commitment to the ideals of this Convention and its vital role in countering corruption worldwide. We acknowledge the substantial progress made in the fight against corruption, and we commend the efforts of States Parties in implementing various provisions of UNCAC. Nevertheless, we wish to draw your attention to an area of critical concern that requires immediate attention: political finance transparency. According to the most recent UNODC report on the implementation of Chapter II of the UNCAC, Article 7 represents the greatest challenge among the 82 countries reviewed. Eighty of the countries received recommendations in this area, including those to address some of the most prevalent challenges in the implementation of Article 7.3, including, a “lack of comprehensive legislation or administrative measures to regulate the funding of candidates for elected office and the funding of political parties, including in relation to adequate limits to private donations and restrictions of anonymous and foreign donations, effective disclosure obligations and oversight and audit mechanisms”. Political finance is a pivotal issue in the fight against corruption. The integrity of democratic processes is contingent on financial transparency and accountability in politics. The lack of transparency in political finance leads to waste or misuse of often limited public resources, posing a threat to the entire sustainable development agenda. When financial contributions to political parties, electoral campaigns, or candidates are opaque and unaccountable, this enables clientelism, fuels corruption, increases the cost of political participation and destroys trust in governments. These outcomes adversely affect public services, drive conflict and make politics an exclusive club. These negative impacts are felt most keenly by women, young people, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups. The UN General Assembly, in a Special Session against Corruption on 2 June 2021, declared: "We recognize that Member States are responsible for ensuring transparent, free and fair elections... transparency in the funding of candidatures for elected public office, political parties and electoral campaigns, where applicable, with a view to preventing corruption, ensuring accountability, promoting good governance and reinforcing trust in public institutions." We therefore call on the States Parties to further prioritise and enhance political finance transparency as part of the UNCAC framework. We specifically urge you to strengthen Article 7.3 of the Convention by introducing provisions in new resolutions that effectively address the following areas: **1. Closing loopholes for illicit funds in politics** Corruption can enter politics through various channels, including illicit funds and opaque donations routed through shell companies, third parties or anonymous donors. We urge States Parties to enact and enforce laws that close all such loopholes, ensuring that the ultimate source of funds is fully disclosed and verified. Implementing robust due diligence procedures for political donations and contributions is paramount. These should encompass party primary or candidate selection processes and in-office costs. **2. Introducing digital reporting and disclosure systems** Transparency is the cornerstone of democracy. States Parties should develop mechanisms for the timely and comprehensive public disclosure of political contributions, expenditures and campaign financing. This should extend to all levels of government and political entities, including individual candidates, promoting the accountability of both political candidates and parties. **3. Improving oversight and accountability of political finance regimes** Accountability is essential in curbing corruption. We encourage States Parties to establish and strengthen independent oversight bodies with adequate powers to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political finance regulations. These bodies should be equipped with sufficient resources, autonomy and authority to ensure the integrity of the political finance system. **4.** **Promoting knowledge, civic engagement and public participation** An informed and engaged citizenry is essential for upholding democracy and countering corruption. States Parties should actively engage civil society, encourage public participation in political finance oversight and protect the rights of whistleblowers who expose corruption within the political finance system. States Parties should invest in improving the knowledge base about the role of money and influence in politics. They should mandate UNODC, in consultation with civil society, to coordinate the production of gap analyses, guidelines and technical assistance material on political finance transparency. **5.** **Strengthening international cooperation.** Corruption is a transnational issue, and international cooperation is essential to combat it effectively. States Parties should commit to sharing information, best practices and resources to ensure the global fight against corruption is coordinated and unified. Cross-border corruption schemes should be met with a coordinated international response, and efforts should be made to recover and repatriate assets stolen through corrupt practices. Improved transparency and governance across the board can contribute to reducing incentives for corrupt actors to seek to enter or influence politics. We urge States Parties to make countering corruption a priority across all branches of government to achieve full, effective and timely implementation of the UNCAC. The fight against corruption and the preservation of democratic values are interlinked. It is imperative that we adapt to the evolving challenges of corruption in the twenty-first century. By enhancing political finance transparency and strengthening Article 7.3, we can take a significant step towards a more transparent, accountable and equitable political landscape. The UNCAC embodies a global commitment to these ideals. We call on all States Parties to work collaboratively to address these issues, both domestically and internationally, in a spirit of shared responsibility. Thank you for your attention and commitment to this vital cause. **Drafters** International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Transparency International UNCAC Coalition Secretariat Westminster Foundation for Democracy **Signatories** Access Info Europe Accountability Lab Action for Education and Promotion of Women (AEPW-Chad) Action pour l'Education et la Promotion de la Femme (AEPF-Tchad) Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG) African Election Observers Network (AfEONet) AfricTivistes Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) Al-Nahrain Foundation for Supporting Transparency and Integrity ALTAX Anti-Corruption Data Collective Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa Asociación Chilena de Voluntarios Association Maçons de l'Education AWTAD Anti-Corruption Organization Bahrain Transparency Society Cameroon Anti Corruption Youths Movement Campaign Legal Center Center for Fiscal Transparency & Integrity Watch Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)) Central Asian Research Institute on Corruption and Money Laundering Centre de Recherche sur l'Anti-Corruption (CERC) Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) Centre Stratégique Pour La Promotion de Développement Durable (CSPDD) CiFAR - Civil Forum for Asset Recovery e.V. Citizens WatchApp App (Tenera Magna Initiative) CLEEN Foundation Coalition for Integrity and Accountability-AMAN Community Focus Group (CFG) CONSTRUISONS ENSEMBLE LE MONDE Corruption Watch Dialogue and Research Institute (DRI) Forum for Protection of Public Interest (Pro Public) Foundation For Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) Freedom for Eurasia Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo Fundacion Multitudes Fundación Nacional para el Desarrollo (FUNDE) - TI El Salvador Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) Gong Good Governance Team Nigeria Government Accountability Project Helen Suzman Foundation Improve Your Society Organization (IYSO) Indonesia Corruption Watch Iniciativa de Transparencia, Anticorrupción y Digitalización de la Escuela de Ciencias Sociales y Gobierno. Tecnológico de Monterrey Instance Nationale de Protection des Biens Publics et de la Transparence au Maroc " INPBPTM" Institute for Public Policy Research (Namibia) Integrity Initiatives International Kosova Democratic Institute Law Society of Azerbaijan Liberia CSOs Anti-corruption Coalition LIGUE CONGOLAISE DE LUTTE CONTRE LA OCRRUPTION LICOC DRC Maison des Organisations de la Société Civile (MOSC) Anjouan México Evalúa Mouvement Pour la Lutte Contre l'Injustice (MPLCI) National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal NGO MANS Nyika Institute Open Governance Institute Open Knowledge Finland Pay No Bribe Animators Plateforme Démocratie,Paix, Élections et Développement Durable (Plateforme DPEG) Public and Private Development Centre Public-Private Integrity Réseau Nigérien Anti-Corruption Samudayik Sarathi Sange Research Center Semillas para la Democracia Spotlight on Corruption Syri i Vizionit Tax Justice Network Australia The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation The Partnership for Governance Reform (KEMITRAAN) TI Cambodia TI Chinese Taipei Transparencia por Colombia Transparencia Venezuela Transparency International - Macedonia Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) Transparency International Australia Transparency International Bangladesh Transparency International Brazil Transparency International Canada Transparency International Czech Republic Transparency International España Transparency International Estonia Transparency International France Transparency International Georgia Transparency International Germany Transparency International Indonesia Transparency International Ireland Transparency International Kenya Transparency International Nederland Transparency International Nepal Transparency International Netherlands Transparency International Portugal Transparency International U.S. Transparency International Zambia Transparency Maldives Transparency Mauritius Uruguay Transparente Vouliwatch Women in Democracy and Governance ( WIDAG) Xnet Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) The Carter Center Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina Transparency Serbia > Political finance is a pivotal issue in the fight against corruption. The integrity of democratic processes is contingent on financial transparency and accountability in politics. **100+ signatories from civil society and international organisations** ## Priorities - [Political integrity](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/political-integrity)