The 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (CoSP11) is currently taking place in Doha, bringing together delegates from the Pacific region with a focus on enhancing international collaboration and establishing a unified strategy to combat corruption.
This conference marks a significant gathering of member states dedicated to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), recognized as the world’s first legally binding treaty aimed at eradicating corruption. CoSP11 serves as a platform for countries to exchange best practices, address emerging issues, and fortify their collaborative efforts to combat corruption globally.
Under UNCAC, participating states are obligated to criminalize corruption, foster international cooperation, recover misappropriated assets, and enhance technical assistance and information sharing. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) plays a vital role in providing technical support and training to help nations effectively implement the treaty.
Beyond the main conference agenda, which includes vital discussions on eliminating corruption in environmental crimes, the implications for Small Island Developing States, and ensuring transparency in political financing, CoSP11 offers several side events and workshops. These sessions aim to create dialogue and knowledge-sharing opportunities among stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector, thus enhancing the collective anti-corruption mission.
The event is expected to wrap up with the adoption of a declaration that will outline member states’ key commitments and action points in the ongoing fight against corruption. Highlighting their commitment on the opening day, Pacific delegates participated in a special event titled “Integrity is the Pacific’s crime firewall,” emphasizing that corruption and criminal networks pose significant threats to Pacific security.
Notable speakers included Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati, and Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, who both stressed the critical importance of integrity in the region. Ofani Eremae, a co-founder and editor from the In-depth Solomons news outlet, underscored the vital role of investigative journalism in combating corruption, stating that journalists are crucial in holding governments accountable and fostering a fair society.
In support of these efforts, Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner, Paul Brereton, highlighted the importance of cooperation among anti-corruption agencies across the Pacific. Marie Cauchois, from UNODC, reiterated that integrity is essential for regional security and that addressing corruption is fundamental to achieving shared goals.
The Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) is instrumental in empowering journalists to engage proactively with UNCAC and relevant initiatives, resulting in a notable increase in both the quantity and quality of anti-corruption reporting in the region. This rising trend underscores the essential role that media plays in uncovering corruption and holding power to account.
UNODC has facilitated the attendance of Pacific delegates at CoSP11 with support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reinforcing the collective commitment to combat corruption on a global scale. The outcomes of this conference are expected to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more unified approach to anti-corruption efforts in the Pacific and beyond.