About the GlobE Network

Vision

Timely and efficient transnational cooperation against corruption

Mission

The GlobE Network aims to provide a quick, agile and efficient tool for facilitating transnational cooperation in combating corruption, and to strengthen communication exchange and peer learning between independent anti-corruption law enforcement authorities, while complementing and coordinating with relevant international cooperation platforms.

Frustrated by the painfully slow and complex process of anti-corruption efforts, practitioners and policy makers have frequently raised the need for improving international anti-corruption cooperation. In 2020, under Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency which also provided the initial core funding, the G20 leaders welcomed the “Riyadh Initiative towards the Creation of a Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities”. The Riyadh Initiative, with UNODC facilitation and guided by UN Member States’ needs and expertise, led to the establishment of the GlobE Network.

What is the GlobE Network

Rositsa Zaharieva, GlobE Network Coordinator, Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, UNODC

The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) provides a platform for peer-to-peer information exchange and informal cooperation to better identify, investigate and prosecute cross-border corruption offences and recover stolen assets. Launched in 2021, the GlobE Network is open to specialized authorities as referred to in Article 36 of the Convention (anti-corruption law enforcement authorities) from all UN Member States and States parties to the UN Convention against Corruption.

There are no membership application fees or compulsory contributions for GlobE members.

Process for joining the GlobE Network

Specialized authorities as referred to in Article 36 of the Convention (anti-corruption law enforcement authorities) from UN Member States and States Parties to the Convention may transmit their request to join the GlobE Network, through their country’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

When considering joining the Network, authorities are encouraged to review, wherever possible, the information provided by their country under article 36 in the context of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism.

Where the number of requests exceeds 3 per country, the Permanent Secretariat shall request the Permanent Mission to identify the 3 authorities to be members of the Network.

Other relevant national authorities will also be able to benefit from and contribute to the work of the Network according to a mechanism to be established by the members.

For further information, please refer to the Roadmap towards the establishment of the GlobE Network.

Establishing the GlobE Network

Shervin Majlessi, Chief, Convention Support Section, Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, UNODC

One of the main purposes of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (the Convention) is to promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery. The Conference of the States Parties to the Convention has repeatedly called for enhanced measures to further promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption. In 2020, the first G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting, inter alia, welcomed the “Riyadh Initiative towards the Creation of a Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities”. The creation of this Network was further welcomed by the Special Session of the UN General Assembly against Corruption on 2 June 2021 which in its political declaration encourages States to participate in and make best use of this network, as appropriate. Accordingly, the GlobE Network is established under the auspices of UNODC, which, in setting up this Network, has engaged in a deliberative process involving the Permanent Missions in Vienna, a meeting of experts, and most importantly, the establishment of three Interim Tasks Forces to advise on the different components of the Network.

<h6>Participants of the first GlobE Network Meeting, November 2021</h6>
Participants of the first GlobE Network Meeting, November 2021

The Meeting of Experts on the Establishment of the GlobE Network was held on 3-4 March 2021 and brought together over 130 technical experts and participants from 53 States, from the five Regional Groups of the United Nations and 21 international organizations and entities, in addition to several independent renowned experts. The three Interim Task Forces were composed of 90 experts from 28 States and 13 international organizations and entities and held 16 meetings between 16 April and 21 May 2021. The outputs of the Meeting of Experts and Interim Task Forces can be found here. The official launch of the GlobE Network took place on 3 June 2021, in a special event in the margins of the UN General Assembly special session against corruption (UNGASS). The first GlobE Network Meeting took place in Vienna from 17-15 November 2021. At this meeting, the Charter of the GlobE Network was adopted.

GlobE in international fora

International fora provide platforms to garner and reinforce Member states’ and States parties’ political support of the Network. The Network has been supported in the UNGASS Political Declaration, June 2021, the CoSP9 Resolution on International Cooperation, December 2021, and in the Decisions of the 4th Arab CoSP, March 2022. Read more

Anti-corruption law enforcement networks and organizations

The GlobE Network engaged in discussions to cooperate with and complement the work of a number of effective regional and international anti-corruption networks and bodies. Our aim is to make sure all States Parties to UNCAC and their anti-corruption authorities have access to these important resources. Find a detailed listing here