Anticorruption Portal of the Americas

What is their role?

Civil society organizations play a fundamental role in strengthening cooperation against corruption within the MESICIC framework by, among other things, making substantive contributions in the review of a State’s implementation of the Convention and the Mechanism's recommendations. They also help to strengthen cooperation against corruption in areas considered to be of collective interest by the countries, as well as in the development of tools such as model laws to assist them in improving their legal frameworks and institutions.

Opportunities for participation by civil society in the MESICIC

The fight against corruption is everyone's responsibility, which is why the MESICIC, in accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, encourages civil society participation.

The Conference of States Parties to the MESICIC

It is the political body that issues guidelines on the MESICIC's operations and for strengthening hemispheric cooperation against corruption in the framework of OAS convention against corruption.
In accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, organizations can take part as observers at meetings at the invitation of the State Party chairing the Conference. They may also ask to participate as observers at meetings of the Conference by sending a written request to the State Party chairing it.
Civil society participation in these events is important as it is a way for them to obtain first-hand information on the topics that will be addressed, and the manner in which the Convention provisions will be reviewed, as well as for planning their participation in future instances, where they will be able to play a more active role and be directly involved in the country's review.
It is the body responsible for the technical analysis of the implementation of the Convention by States. The Committee meets twice a year in Washington, D.C., to consider and adopt anticorruption reports on the States under review, as well as to exchange best practices and discuss matters of common interest with a view to strengthening cooperation against corruption within the Convention's framework.

Meetings of the Committee of Experts

It is the body responsible for the technical analysis of the implementation of the Convention by States. The Committee meets twice a year in Washington, D.C., to consider and adopt anticorruption reports on the States under review, as well as to exchange best practices and discuss matters of common interest with a view to strengthening cooperation against corruption within the Convention's framework.

Country reports

The country report is the end-product of the review of the implementation of the Convention’s provisions and recommendations made by the Committee of Experts in past reviews. The report is based on the response to a questionnaire by officials of the country under review, information from civil society organizations, data gathered by the experts during the on-site visit, and information collected separately by the Technical Secretariat.

On-site visits

On-site visits are an opportunity for MESICIC experts to obtain a first-hand appreciation of the steps that countries are taking to implement the Convention provisions and MESICIC recommendations. In the course of such visits they meet with government officials, civil society organizations, representatives of the private sector, professional associations, researchers, and academics.

Topics of collective interest

These are topics that the States consider important to examine in depth, familiarize themselves with, and share in order to promote anticorruption cooperation and initiatives.

Learn how to register your organization in the OAS by clicking here.

Number

of organizations that have already participated in the MESICIC