I. Introduction
Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that most countries are failing to stop corruption. The global average CPI score remains unchanged for over a decade at just 43 out of 100 while more than two-thirds of countries score below 50, and 26 countries have fallen to their lowest scores yet. Despite concerted efforts and hard-won gains by some, 155 countries have made no significant progress against corruption or have declined since 2012.1 At a stagnated regional average score of 32 out of 100, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle with addressing the corruption problem. In 2022, 44 out of the 49 countries assessed scored below 50 while the significant declines in some countries outweighed the gains made by a few others.2
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. The Convention’s far-reaching approach and the mandatory character of many of its provisions make it a unique tool for developing a comprehensive response to a global problem. The Convention covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange. The Convention also covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector. A highlight of the Convention is the inclusion of a specific chapter on asset recovery, aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners.3
The United Nations adopted the UNCAC on 31st October 2003, by resolution 58/4, and it entered into force on 14th December 2005, in accordance with article 68(1) of the Convention. As at 21st November 2021, the UNCAC had 140 signatories and 189 parties, across the world, including all the African countries except Eritrea.4 Zambia signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on 11th December 2003 and ratified it on 7th December 2007.5
This parallel report reviews Zambia’s implementation of selected articles of Chapter II (Preventive measures) and Chapter V (Asset recovery) of the UNCAC. The report is intended as a contribution to the UNCAC implementation review process currently underway covering these chapters. Zambia was selected by the UNCAC
