1. What is the UN?

The United Nations Organization (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations between nations and promote social progress, better quality of life and human rights. Its main organs are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.

It has 192 member States which meet to look for large-scale solutions to global problems in areas such as sustainable development, environment, protection of refugees, the fight against terrorism, the promotion of democracy, human rights and the fight against corruption.

2. What is the UNCAC?

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is a landmark development for global action against corruption, establishing jointly agreed standards and methods for international cooperation as well as for local efforts to combat corruption. The convention is important for its provisions in respect of mutual legal assistance, which simplify the processes for prosecution of transnational corruption cases and for the repatriation of funds sent abroad by corrupt public officials.

In October 2003, the UNCAC was adopted by the UN General Assembly and was opened to the signature during the High Level Political Conference of the United Nations in Merida, Yucatan in December of the same year. At the beginning of 2010, 140 States had signed the Convention and 143 States had ratified it. The convention was open for signature on December 9th 2003 (since then the day the International Day against Corruption is celebrated). Mexico signed it on December 9th 2003 and ratified it on April 29th 2004.

Related documents:
•  Text of the Convention
•  Ratifications and firms

3. UNCAC chronology