KATHMANDU: The eleventh session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) concluded in Doha with the adoption of the Doha Declaration 2025.
A statement issued at the conclusion of the conference said the declaration sends a clear message that building integrity for the future requires the responsible use of technology and stronger international cooperation to address growing challenges linked to corruption and transnational financial crimes.
The declaration noted that increasingly complex corruption patterns demand law enforcement and judicial systems to keep pace with evolving threats. It called on States Parties to leverage digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance international cooperation and improve the accuracy, efficiency and objectivity of corruption risk assessments.
The declaration also encouraged the use of technologies developed by expert networks, including the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to enable secure and rapid information exchange. It highlighted that time is a critical factor in corruption cases and directly affects the integrity of investigations.
Acting Executive Director of UNODC, John Brandolino, said the Doha Declaration’s focus on artificial intelligence reflects growing recognition of the technology’s impact and marks an important step toward harnessing its potential in preventing and combating corruption.
Meanwhile, the Integrity Advisory Board of the UNODC Youth Initiative called for the meaningful engagement of youth in anti-corruption frameworks and urged close monitoring of the implementation of commitments made during the conference.
The conference adopted 11 resolutions, including those aimed at enhancing transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns, promoting integrity among children and youth through education, examining the role of corruption in facilitating crimes such as migrant smuggling and environmental offences, and addressing the future of the UNCAC peer review mechanism.
It also adopted a declaration on the next phase of the review mechanism, affirming that effective implementation of the convention requires review processes that are efficient, effective and fit for purpose, while drawing on experience gained since the mechanism was launched.
To strengthen partnerships with the private sector, 21 companies joined the newly launched Private Sector Platform of the conference, co-led by UNODC and the United Nations Global Compact. The platform aims to support the implementation of the convention and enhance public–private cooperation.
States Parties also decided to hold the twelfth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Uzbekistan.
The State of Qatar hosted the eleventh session of the conference from December 15 to 19, with more than 2,500 participants from 192 countries. The gathering brought together representatives of governments, international and regional organisations, the private sector, civil society and youth, making it the largest international forum dedicated to combating corruption and promoting integrity and transparency.
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