Dear Asia-Pacific INTACT Network members,

I’m pleased to share with you our new “Guidance Note: UNCAC Self-Assessments – Going Beyond the Minimum”, a practical guide to undertaking a participatory self-assessment of implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), published by the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre in Bangkok in partnership with UNODC, GTZ, Basel Institute on Governance (Switzerland) and Institute of Governance Studies, BRAC University (Bangladesh).

The Guidance Note seeks to provide national stakeholders with a methodology on how to conduct an UNCAC Self-Assessment, based on previous country experiences, including in Indonesia and Bangladesh. In 2010, several other countries have already followed suit by commencing participatory UNCAC Self-Assessments, for example in Bhutan, Mongolia, and Maldives.

As you know, the UNCAC Conference of the States Parties established a mechanism to review implementation of the Convention last year. Over the next ten years (2010-2020), every State party will be reviewed on its implementation of the Convention. The first step in the Review Mechanism requires the State party to undertake an UNCAC Self-Assessment by completing the UNCAC Self-Assessment checklist, using specific software designed for this purpose. Furthermore, States parties are encouraged to go beyond the minimum and to prepare their responses to the comprehensive self-assessment checklist through broad consultations at the national level with all relevant stakeholders, the private sector, individuals and groups outside the public sector. This Guidance Note provides clear guidance on how to undertake such a participatory UNCAC Self-Assessment process.

As you may know, in 2010 the following countries in the Asia-Pacific region are required to report under the UNCAC Review Mechanism: Bangladesh, Fiji, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea. By 2011 (Q3), Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam need to submit their UNCAC Self-Assessment reports. By 2012, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Republic of Korea; and by 2013: China, Maldives, Palau, and Singapore.

As a participatory UNCAC Self-Assessment process takes at least 6 months to complete, this Guidance Note provides timely guidance for UNDP Country Offices, national stakeholders and partners in countries that need to report in 2011, so they can begin the process in the coming months and submit their UNCAC Self-Assessment reports in line with their international obligations.

Every UNCAC Self-Assessment process is expected to provide an opportunity for national dialogue on anti-corruption policies and programmes and further stimulate progressive reforms at the national level to curb corruption in the interest of sustainable and human development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

We stand ready to support you in this process!

Best regards,

Pauline