Civil Society Preparatory Day Sets the Tone for CoSP11 in Doha
Ahead of the formal opening of the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (CoSP11), civil society stakeholders convened in Doha on 14 December 2025 for a global coordination forum. The engagement was jointly organized by the Global Civil Society Coalition for the UNCAC in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The Preparatory Day provided a strategic platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) to align priorities, strengthen coordination, and enhance effective participation throughout CoSP11. The forum brought together nearly 700 representatives from over 200 organizations worldwide, reflecting broad and diverse global participation.
Discussions focused on improving engagement in CoSP processes, clarifying observer modalities, strengthening advocacy coordination, and aligning communication strategies during the Conference. Key thematic priorities identified by participants included:
- Political finance
- Environmental crime and corruption
- The UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM)
- Protection of civic space and practical pathways for translating CoSP resolutions into national-level action
- Asset recovery
- 6.Artificial intelligence and corruption
Key messages from CSOs from the world cafe styled breakout sessions:
Discussions focused on strengthening engagement in CoSP processes, clarifying observer modalities, enhancing advocacy coordination, and aligning communication strategies. Key priority themes identified included political finance; environmental crime and corruption; the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM); protection of civic space; asset recovery; and emerging risks related to artificial intelligence and corruption.
During the session on asset recovery, the Executive Director of the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development—who also serves as Co-Chair of the Victims of Corruption Working Group—emphasized the importance of including civil society organizations in negotiations between victim States and jurisdictions where stolen assets are located. Such inclusion, it was noted, would enhance transparency, accountability, and the effective use of recovered assets for the benefit of victims of corruption.
The Executive Director further underscored the need for practical mechanisms to monitor State Parties’ implementation of CoSP resolutions, with a focus on engaging States that demonstrate readiness to translate commitments into action.
Other sessions highlighted the urgent need to protect civic space, safeguard human rights in monitoring and data collection, and strengthen access to information. Participants reaffirmed that transparency and freedom of information are essential tools in preventing corruption and ensuring accountability.
Discussions also reviewed follow-up to CoSP resolutions on beneficial ownership, public procurement, asset recovery, and whistleblower protection. While acknowledging that some resolutions are not legally binding, civil society stressed their value in strengthening domestic legal and policy frameworks and called on States to demonstrate measurable progress in implementation.
The Civil Society Preparatory Day reinforced the African Center’s CoSP11 advocacy strategy, ensuring that its side events and policy interventions are aligned with global priorities to strengthen UNCAC implementation, advance asset recovery, protect civic space, and promote justice for victims of corruption.
