​​The relationship between the illegal drug trade and systemic corruption represents a major challenge to global governance, sustainable development, and peacebuilding efforts. The immense illicit profits generated by current drug prohibition regimes fuel corruption across all levels of government and society. At Ágora, our work focuses on dismantling these cycles by advocating for policy innovations centered on social justice and the rule of law.

 

Our engagement at COSP10

​

During the Tenth Session of the Conference of the States parties to the United Nations convention against corruption (cosp 10), held in Atlanta in December 2023, Ágora played a strategic role in bridging the gap between drug policy and anti-corruption frameworks.

​

The converging challenge: illicit drugs and corruption

Jointly prepared by the united nations office on drugs and crime (UNODC) and Ágora, this written submission serves as a call to action for the international community. it argues that prohibitionist drug policies act as a substantial systemic driver of the corruption we are mandated to combat under the UNCAC.

• Strategic shift: the publication proposes that legal regulation, implemented under international cooperation and human rights standards, serves as a potent tool for corruption prevention.

• Policy objectives: i write to emphasize our recommendations for drying up illicit revenue, enabling state oversight through taxation, and refocusing law enforcement on grand corruption and asset recovery.

​

Read the full submission here

​

"Corruption and the World Drug Problem: Two Roads that Converge"

​

This high-level side event benefited from diverse regional perspectives, illustrating how drug trafficking and corruption mutually reinforce each other, creating cycles that are exceptionally difficult to break.

​

• Philippines & southeast asia: insights from "a national study on drug-related crimes and corruption in the philippines" shed light on the nexus connecting illicit flows to state capture, with technical contributions from david spence (anti-corruption specialist, unodc regional office for southeast asia and the pacific).

• Mexico: the discussion showcased the devastating impact of prohibitionist approaches and explored alternative means for addressing the problem, including the path of legal regulation.

• Nigeria: experts elaborated on the systemic root causes that underpin the drug situation, noting that these challenges do not occur in a vacuum but are deeply intertwined with governance issues.

 

Building the impact coalition

​

At Ágora, we continue to collaborate with partners like ms. annika wythes and the impact coalition on corruption to ensure that civil society evidence-based proposals reach national and international decision-makers. our goal remains to move the global focus from criminalization to public health and proactive corruption prevention.

​

For further information on our anti-corruption advocacy:

• contact: zorana.markovic@un.org (unodc)

• technical inquiries: david m. spence, anti-corruption specialist (thailand)

​