Supporting Anticorruption and Asset Recovery through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the UNCAC Coalition


Switzerland has a fundamental interest in preventing corruption so that resources in partner countries flow in public services and sustainable development, and stolen assets are not deposited in Swiss financial institutions. Supporting the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) including a multilateral dialogue platform on asset return will ultimately lead to increased resources for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Región/País Tema Período Presupuesto
A nivel mundial
Governance
nothemedefined
Organizaciones contra la corrupción
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2024
CHF  246’000
Contexto Global data shows that corruption hinders sustainable and inclusive economic growth, feeds inequalities and undermines justice and peace. In 2003, UN member states established the UNCAC as the first global anti-corruption instrument with a dedicated chapter on asset recovery. Multilateral consensus is difficult to reach and discussions outside the established UNCAC working groups are necessary, in particular on the question of the “end use” of assets in a way that fosters sustainable development. Switzerland in 2015 advocated to have respective provisions in both the Agenda 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) and launched its “Initiative on best practices on asset return” to advance discussions towards consensus on asset return.
Objetivos Reducing corruption through a robust and well-functioning UNCAC implementation and through promoting informal multilateral exchange on best practices on asset return, ultimately contributing to more financial resources to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Grupos destinarios
  • UNODC’s office staff responsible for the review mechanism, and indirectly countries under review
  • UNCAC Coalition
  • Representatives, experts and practitioners of States Parties of the UNCAC and of international and multilateral organisations active in Asset Recovery
Efectos a medio plazo

Outcome 1: The IRM (the peer review process that assists States Parties to effectively assess implementation of the UNCAC and adopt measures to do so) is functioning and is used at country level to coordinate activities among local and multilateral actors.

Outcome 2: The IRM is strengthened since Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participating in the UNCAC Coalition ask accountability from countries to implement measures and to follow up on the recommendations.

Outcome 3: Multilateral consensus on best practices on asset return is advanced through informal exchange and discussions in a fourth biannual Expert Group Meeting on asset return.

Resultados

Resultados previstos:  

For Outcome 1: Through earmarked support to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) designated to the IRM, the mechanism’s functioning is improved.

For Outcome 2: Through earmarked support to the UNCAC Coalition accountability on UNCAC implementation and monitoring is strengthened.

For Outcome 3: A fourth Expert Group Meeting is attended by a well-balanced amount of returning states and countries of origin, offered a space to build trust among states representatives and to share good practices on asset return, and makes the multilevel dialogue more evidence-based.


Resultados de las fases anteriores:   It is the third time since the signature of the UNCAC that Switzerland supports the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) confirming its relevance and Switzerland’s commitment. In the frame of its “Initiative on best practices on asset return”, Switzerland co-organised a first Expert Group Meeting in Addis Ababa in 2017, enabling informal exchange and continued dialogue among member states and experts, with subsequent meetings in 2019 and 2022. After the UNCAC Conference of States Parties (CoSP) in December 2023, the multilateral consensus on asset return can be brought forward in an expert group meeting in 2024.


Dirección / Officina Federal responsable COSUDE
Contrapartes del proyecto Contraparte del contrato
Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU)
  • Other UN Organisation
  • UNODC (Division of Policy Analysis and Public Affairs); UNCAC Coalition (Vienna Hub Office)


Coordinación con otros proyectos y actores Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR)
International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)
U4 Donor Coordination Platform on Anticorruption
Presupuesto Fase en curso Presupuesto suizo CHF    246’000 Presupuesto actual suizo ya emitido CHF    217’500 Total del proyecto desde la primera fase Presupuesto suizo CHF   350’000 Presupuesto inclusive contrapartes del proyecto CHF   596’000
Fases del proyecto Fase 1 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2024   (Fase en curso)