Side events

Side events are meetings, presentations or panel discussions on topics that are relevant to the work of the special session of the United Nations General Assembly and that are held outside the formal proceedings. Whilst the organization of these meetings is coordinated and facilitated by the Secretariat, the sole responsibility for the content of the side events (including promotional material and the events themselves) as well as for the related technical arrangements lies with the organizers. Please note that some side events might require pre-registration. Kindly reach out to the indicated email address with any question on the side event.

These events are open to registered participants of the special session. The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. Events facilitated by the UN system are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with the event as provided by the Code of Conduct.

All times are New York time (Eastern Daylight Time).

Thursday, 3 June - 9.00 to 10.00

Strengthening Corporate Integrity Through Non-trial Resolutions

Organizer: Brazil, Office of the Comptroller General of Brazil

Panelists will explore the opportunities presented in the context of non-trial resolution agreements to enhance corporate integrity practices and their dissemination in the value chain.The side event will focus on the promotion of corporate integrity: (i) before the conclusion of agreements, since the benefits of reducing a possible fine encourage companies to invest properly in anticorruption compliance programs; (ii) during the negotiation of agreements when evaluating the companies’ integrity program; and (iii) after the signing of the agreement through the monitorship of the companies’ integrity program by the public administration.

Advancing the prevention of corruption through partnerships and synergies in public procurement

Organizer: Mexico; co-organizer: United Nations Office for Project Services

Addressing corruption demands comprehensive and coordinated efforts at national and regional levels. Joint initiatives between governments, the UN and other international organizations are key to effectively implement anti-corruption commitments. This side event will present concrete actions and experiences of joint efforts in fight against corruption through efficient and transparent public procurement which will enable Member States and international organizations and agencies to identify innovative and replicative partnerships and synergies in this context.

Working Group on Bribery: Enforcement is the key!

Organizer: OECD, Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions (WGB)

The event showcased the WGB’s work along the lines of its contribution to UNGASS provided in 2020 and brought together several members of the WGB who, recognising corruption is a moving target, discussed how enforcement has become the most important part of evaluation reports in the current phase of evaluation, and greatly influences the general assessment of countries’ anti-bribery efforts, serving as an important indicator of whether the countries’ anti-bribery mechanisms are functioning or not. Speakers from Columbia, Korea, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States took stock of the state of implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention and reflected on enforcement efforts by members. They highlighted how the Anti-Bribery Convention’s robust monitoring mechanism has promoted domestic reforms and international cooperation while staying abreast of developments by reviewing and updating standards.

Launch of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network)

Organizer: Interim secretariat of GlobE Network (UNODC)

The event will officially launch the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) and will provide insight into the need for the GlobE Network, what it is, and how it will facilitate informal international cooperation at an operational level amongst law enforcement authorities in anti-corruption cases. Key global role players, prosecuting authorities and investigative journalists (including video footage), will engage on why it takes a network to fight corruption networks. It will have an online and in-person component (in Vienna) – hybrid event.

International cooperation on corruption prevention matters

Organizer: Russian Federation

Detection of corruption offences with a foreign component requires a credible mechanism for verifying whether public officials have undisclosed foreign bank accounts, financial interests (including shares in companies), movable and immovable assets, business activities or paid work abroad as well as a residence permit or citizenship in other countries. International cooperation in these matters often requires prompt exchange of information including where possible via secure electronic channels and/or with the access to various databases. The event brings together practitioners to discuss these issues.

Thursday, 3 June - 17.00 to 18.00

Combatting Corruption: The Relevance and Capacities of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs)

Organizer: Universal Peace Federation (UPF)

The side-event “Combating Corruption: The Relevance and Capabilities of Faith-Based Organizations” gathered representatives from diverse faith traditions, along with international public officials with direct experience in combating corruption to discuss the role of Faith-Based Organizations in corruption prevention and intervention efforts to support ethics, justice, rule of law, good governance, and sustainable development. Ambassador Thomas Stelzer, Dean of the International Anti-Corruption Center opened the event and along with Ms. Livia Krings, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer in the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) presented a brief overview of the preparatory work leading up to the special session of the United Nations General Assembly against Corruption (UNGASS) and its outcome. Ms Krings also spoke about the format of NGO participation in the work of the Conference, and encouraged all organizations present to continue to contribute with statements and side events, while also mentioning the CSU and its work. Reverend Dr. Levi Bautista highlighted how the United Methodist Social Principle on Graft and Corruption support the UN Convention against Corruption. Imam Sheikh Mohammad Ismail shared how Islamic teachings provide foundational values for combatting corruption, and underscored the interconnectedness between poverty and corruption. Bishop Munib Younan, President of the Lutheran World Federation emphasized the values of human dignity, transparency and accountability and the importance that faith-based organizations and all individuals reflect these values in their daily lives. Dr. Michael Platzer, Co-chair of the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations moderated the question and answer session that concluded the event.