Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia Collaborates with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on Anti-Corruption Efforts
Society
Ulaanbaatar, March 5, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is hosting a forum titled “Measures and Implementation Following the United Nations Convention against Corruption Review” at the Community Center of the Authority from March 4-7, 2024.
Annika Wythes, the Team Lead for the Anti-Corruption Hub for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at UNODC, addressed journalists' questions regarding the allocation and oversight of recovered funds in international contexts, as well as the specific considerations Mongolia should prioritize. Ms. Annika Wythes said, “According to good international practices, recovered illegal funds are allocated in the following three main ways: first, for the construction of new schools and roads; second, for empowering organization employees who have effectively contributed to investigations, addressing their social needs and challenges; and third, a portion of the funds is designated to compensate victims of corruption and reward whistleblowers.”
During the Forum, UN experts highlighted that Mongolia's continued efforts to amend its laws, as a party to the UN Convention against Corruption, will significantly boost the fight against corruption.
Also, the parties discussed a wide range of topics, including the anti-corruption policies of countries worldwide, system deficiencies and challenges, Mongolia's new anti-corruption strategy, and defined their future course of action.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption establishes a comprehensive framework to bolster regional efforts against corruption. Mongolia actively participates in this fight, having signed the convention on April 29, 2005, and ratified it on January 11, 2006. Furthermore, Mongolia has successfully completed its assessment under the UNCAC's implementation review mechanism.
The first day of the Forum focused on evaluating Chapters 2-5 of the UN Convention against Corruption. Discussions included identifying the further steps and effective measures for implementation. Subsequent days will address the “Assets Return System” and “Ensuring Media and Civil Society Participation in Anti-Corruption Efforts.”
