United Nations Convention Against Corruption

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Since December 2005, the only legal instrument that aims to combat corruption was formed in the document called the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.  Ratified by 173 States across the world, it consists of a body of Articles which enable the State Parties to formulate and introduce mechanisms to prevent, and combat corruption.

Fiji has ratified the UNCAC, and undergone 2 review cycles.  The Summary Report of the Implementing Peer Review has been released, and indicates the positive responses to curbing corruption in Fiji.  The UNDP through its UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Office has also released two reports on the Pacific's Implementation of Chapters 3 and 4 of the UNCAC.

A Youth Network which focuses on raising Youth Awareness on Corrupt behaviour and Unethical Practice is the Youths for Integrity.  With Integrity Promotion as their focus, the Youth Leaders have begun to equip themselves with the UNCAC and searched for ways to use the Convention to curb corruption.

This is a series of articles which will introduce young people to the UNCAC as a document or a tool that they could use in their local contexts.

The UNCAC covers four (4) main areas:

(i) Prevention
(ii) Criminalization and Law Enforcement
(iii) International Cooperation
(iv) Asset Recovery


Rita Narayan, a University of the South Pacific Student explains her group's understanding of International Cooperation.



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