Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)

Panama City: 25-29 November 2013

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With an estimated US$20 to US$40 billion leaving developing countries every year due to acts of corruption, this crime threatens social and economic development across the globe. The price is paid in full by the millions of men, women and children who miss out on education, essential healthcare, proper sanitation and clean water.

The Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the UNCAC is the world's biggest anti-corruption gathering and brings together more than 1,200 people from Member States, parliaments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and the media. The conference is the vital link between decision making at the international level and the practical anti-corruption activities delivering relief at the local level.

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Related information

 

Anti-corruption: 'Just the facts ...'

Factsheets are available in English and Spanish on corruption and development (factsheet 1); an overview of the UN Convention against Corruption (Factsheet 2); safeguarding major public events against corruption (factsheet 3); Illegal sports betting and match-fixing (factsheet 4); corruption and the environment (factsheet 5) and corruption and small medium enterprises (factsheet 6).

 

The high hurdle of corruption: a barrier to development, an obstacle to progress

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) believes corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development around the world. Every year it is estimated by the World Bank that between US$20 to US$40 billion dollars are lost from developing countries due to corruption and bribery. But corruption does not just steal money from where it is needed the most; it leads to weak governance, which in turn fuels organized criminal networks and promotes crimes such as human trafficking, arms and migrant smuggling, counterfeiting and the trade in endangered species.

Factsheet 1 on corruption and development now available

 

Visions for a brighter future: ten years of the UN Convention against Corruption, ten years of global anti-corruption efforts

The United Nations Convention against Corruption was adopted in 2003 and has been ratified by 168 States, more than four fifths of the United Nations Member States. The legally-binding Convention obliges States to prevent and criminalize corruption; to promote international cooperation; to recover stolen assets; and to improve technical assistance and information exchange in both the private and public sectors.

Factsheet 2 giving an overview of the UN Convention against Corruption now available

 

Defending our global occasions: how to protect major public events from corruption

Major public events such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup involve complex logistical arrangements, years of planning and can span more than one nation. Success depends largely on the reputation and credibility of the organizer. But, the exceptional nature of these events increases the likelihood that regulations and procedures might be set aside or ignored. These problems are exacerbated by the shortness of time for the delivery of large scale infrastructure projects often leading to a lack of oversight and transparency in the allocation of public funds.

Factsheet 3 on corruption and major public events now available

 

Preventing the "fix", betting on fairplay and integrity in sporting endeavour

Billions of people across the world take part in amateur sporting activities or are captivated when professionals play these same sports. Whether it is professional football, tennis, American football or baseball, these games capture the essence of fair play, integrity and physical endeavour. However, sports are being undermined by the rise of illegal sports betting and match-fixing. These crimes have grown into a huge transnational business worth billions of dollars and have cast a dark shadow over the results of sporting events. Today, various sports bodies are looking into new ways of confronting this crime.

Factsheet 4 on illegal sports betting and match-fixing now available

 

Listen to an interview with Dimosthenis Chrysikos UNODC Crime Prevention and

Criminal Justice Officer talking about corruption in sport.

 

Disappearing forests: the role of corruption in blighting our environment

Corruption has a serious impact on the environment. Every two seconds an area of forest the size of a football field is cut down by illegal loggers around the globe. From the embezzlement of funds for environmental protection programmes to major corruption in the issuing of permits and licences for natural resource exploitation, corruption occurs at every level, often leaving environment safeguards ignored or bypassed.

Factsheet 5 on corruption and the environment now available

 

The company we want to keep: building a level playing field for the private sector

Corruption distorts markets and increases costs for companies, and ultimately for consumers. This crime remains a significant problem for tens of thousands of businesses globally, particularly small firms which often have little choice, but to use corrupt practices for market survival. However, the private sector can play a powerful role by rejecting corruption and embracing fair and transparent practices that create a level-playing field for everyone.

Factsheet 6 on corruption and small medium enterprises available now

 

Listen to the pre-conference press briefing

In a press briefing in Vienna before the conference, the Chief of UNODC's Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, Dimitri Vlassis explained the importance of the conference in fighting corruption and outlined some of the key issues to be discussed in Panama.

Listen to the briefing (MP3)

 

The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Yury Fedotov spoke at the opening of the CoSP5 in Panama City.  Read his speech here.

 

Mr. Fedotov also addressed the Closing Ceremony of the 7th Annual Conference and General Meeting of International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities on Sunday 24 November.  Read his speech here.

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Panama City 25-29 November 2013.
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

The conference building for the Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Panamanian woman in national costume greets participants to CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC greets President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli, his wife, Marta Linares and Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Band at the opening of the CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Journalists at the CosP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Opening of the CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Outgoing President of the CoSP5, Mohamed Moubdi, the Moroccan Minister of the Public Sector and Modernization of Administration
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC with the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli and the CoSP5 President Abigail Benzadon
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli addresses the CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC addresses the CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC addresses the CoSP5
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

CoSP5 President Abigail Benzadon addresses the opening
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli with Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Opening press conference with Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC and Abigail Benzadon Cohen, CoSP5 President
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Opening press conference with Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC and Abigail Benzadon Cohen, CoSP5 President
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

CoSP5 President Abigail Benzadon Cohen cutting the UNCAC cake
10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

UNCAC cake, 10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention Against Corruption coalition, a group of more than 350 civil society organizations from over 100 countries.
10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

Celebration of the 10th anniversary of UN Convention Against Corruption coalition (UNCAC)
10th anniversary celebration of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Mr. Fedotov, Chief of UNODC, addressing the special event on safeguarding against corruption in the context of sporting and major public events.
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City

Closing session of the CoSP5 in Panama
UN Anti-corruption conference in Panama City