Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms. Faith Muthambi, is leading the South African delegation to the 7th session of the Conference of State parties (COSP) at the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to be held in Vienna, Austria from 6 – 9 November 2017.

South Africa ratified the UNCAC in November 2004 and became a State Party to the Convention. A Conference of the State Parties to the Convention (COSP) was established to improve the capacity of, and cooperation between States Parties, to achieve the objectives set forth in the Convention and to promote and review its implementation.

The objectives of the Convention are to:

• Promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively;
• Facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the fight against corruption, including asset recovery; and
• Promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.

Working groups on prevention, implementation review, international cooperation and asset recovery have been established to enhance States Parties’ capacity to implement the articles of the Convention. The role of the working groups is to advise the Conference on various matters for which they are responsible. Working groups’ sessions are held in between the COSP.  The COSP meets once every two years.   

Minister Muthambi will use this opportunity to brief the delegates on South Africa’s approach in the fight against corruption and share a few highlights in terms of the implementation of the Convention.