What is the United Nations Convention against Corruption?

The United Nations Convention against Corruption is the most important global instrument against corruption. The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on 31st October 2003 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Convention covers the following key areas:

  • Preventive Measures: A full chapter of the Convention is devoted to preventive measures, which are directed to both the public and private sectors.
  • Criminalization and Law Enforcement Measures: The Convention requires States parties to include criminal offenses and other offenses covering a wide range of acts of corruption, if they are not already included as offenses under domestic law.
  • International Cooperation: States parties are obliged by this Convention to provide specific forms of mutual legal assistance for the collection and transfer of evidences for use in court and to extradite offenders.​
  • Asset Recovery: One of the highlights of the Convention is the inclusion of a chapter on asset recovery aimed at recovering the assets to their rightful owners, including those from which they were illegally taken.

What are the main requirements of the United Nations Convention against Corruption?

    • The Convention requires States parties to adopt effective policies and measures aimed at the prevention of corruption, foremost among which is the existence of an independent authority or body to prevent and combat corruption, as well as strengthening legislative frameworks to promote the rule of law, transparency and accountability.
    • The Convention requires States parties to develop measures to prevent corruption for both the public and private sectors.
    • The Convention obliges States parties to criminalize all acts of corruption within their national legislation, including bribery and embezzlement of public funds, as well as criminalizing acts committed to facilitate corruption, such as the use of influence and the laundering of the proceeds of corruption.
    • The Convention encourages States parties to cooperate internationally in strengthening efforts to prevent corruption, prosecute perpetrators and collect and transmit evidence.
    • Asset recovery is one of the fundamental principles of the Convention, particularly with regard to how States cooperate in controlling and returning proceeds of corruption to those who are entitled to it.

Is the State of Qatar a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption?

The State of Qatar has ratified several international and regional conventions relevant to transparency, integrity and combating corruption, which have the force of law at the national level in accordance with article (68) of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar. The United Nations Convention against Corruption, ratified by the State by Decree No. 17 of 2007, which requires States to develop and implement coordinated policies to prevent corruption and to promote integrity in the public and private sectors. Amiri Decree No. 6 of 2015, by reorganizing the Administrative Control and Transparency Commission, gave the Commission the mandate to work on the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.​

What is the seriousness of corruption and the importance of combating it?

Corruption is one of the greatest threats to the stability and security of societies, resulting in a wide range of destructive effects. It undermines institutions, jeopardizes development and the rule of law, and allows the spread of crime and other threats to human security. Since corruption is no longer a local issue but a global phenomenon affecting all societies and economies, it is imperative that all States cooperate to prevent and combat it.​

What is the relationship between integrity, transparency and the prevention of corruption with development?

The phenomenon of corruption is considered as an old social phenomenon. Recently, this phenomenon had spread across the borders of the countries, because of rapid changes and developments. Regardless of the type or form of corruption, the absence of integrity, transparency and accountability, the weakness of regulatory bodies, and the lack of commitment or compliance of administrative authorities to legal and behavioral controls are among the main causes of corruption, both administrative and financial.

Furthermore, the occurrence of corruption cases in any country undermines efforts to achieve development. The misuse of public power, misuse of public funds and / or the use of public authority or money for special purposes, without a doubt, disrupts development and ultimately wastes of state resources.

Thus, promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability is regarded as a key tool in preventing corruption and avoiding its negative social and economic impacts that hinder achievement of development goals.

As a result of the close relationship between integrity, transparency, and accountability, the First National Development Strategy 2011-2016, and the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022 in the State of Qatar, have given special attention to institutional modernization and development and considered them a supportive factor for all pillars of development. This attention was represented through focusing on building national institutions, that are efficient, effective, and characterized by integrity, transparency, and accountability.

As institutional modernization and development are key factors in all pillars of sustainable development, their role is an indicative of the development process and enabling factors for public and private institutions to be more efficient in achieving development goals. For this reason, the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022 focused on the axis of institutional development, public services, and financial management on the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in sustainable development. This focus was built on the fact that the goals of sustainable development will not be achieved without institutions characterized by integrity and transparency and the fulfillment of their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.​