UNCAC IRG meeting

4-8 November 2024

Madam Chair,
Thank you for giving me the floor.
At the outset, I take this opportunity to thank you for your leadership in facilitating these important discussions. You can count on Denmark’s support. I would also like to thank the Secretariat for the excellent organisation and preparation of this meeting, as well as all the panellists for their valuable inputs.

Madam Chair,
Denmark supports the statement that was delivered by the European Union earlier in this session. In the following, I would like add a few remarks in my national capacity on the next phase of the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM).
Denmark underlines its support for the interventions that have been made in favour of a more transparent and inclusive IRM.
We support the UNCAC Coalition's Transparency Pledge, which Denmark joined in 2023, and its initiatives to ensure transparency and the involvement of civil society in the review process. We believe that these aspects are crucial in order to effectively deter, prevent, and detect corruption, and that they serve to promote accountability, respect for the rule of law, and public trust – all of which are preconditions for an effective and successful implementation of the UNCAC.
To ensure increased transparency, we support that relevant information about country reviews is made available to the public. This includes information about the timeline of the different stages of country reviews, contact information of government focal points, and practical information about how non-governmental stakeholders can participate in the review process.
In addition, we support that all essential documents from the review process is made publicly available, including self-assessment checklists, country reports, and submissions of non-governmental stakeholders. This information should be made available on the UNODC website.
To strengthen the participation of non-governmental stakeholders, member States should actively engage with all relevant stakeholders at key stages of the review. This includes ensuring that stakeholders have the possibility to provide input on the self-assessment checklist, participate in meetings with the reviewing States during country visits, and are included in the implementation of and follow-up on review recommendations.
Furthermore, we welcome the participation of non-governmental stakeholders in the IRG meetings as observers, so that they are provided with the opportunity to present their views on matters related to the implementation of the UNCAC.
Denmark has had positive experiences with the participation of non-governmental stakeholders during its review under the first cycle, and looks forward to welcoming non-governmental stakeholders in Copenhagen next year to participate in the country visit under the second cycle review.

Madam chair,
Denmark reiterates its support for the IRM, and we remain committed to engaging constructively with delegations in this process, so that the Conference of States Parties will be able adopt a decision about the design and launch of the second phase of the IRM at CoSP11 in Qatar next year.
Thank you for your attention.