Iran Statement at resumed 17th IRG of UNCAC:Agenda item 4

Statement by the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Before First resumed seventeenth session of the Implementation Review Group of Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (Vienna 31 August- 4 September): Agenda item 4: Exchange of information practices and experiences gained in the implementation of the Convention

In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful

 Mr. President,

Distinguished colleagues,

 Following the completion of our most recent review cycle, and in light of the valuable findings and observations from the process, my delegation wishes to share with you a number of  measures, experiences, and practices that we have developed and operationalized in our continued efforts to implement the provisions of the Convention.

Having identified the challenges, we immediately embarked on a series of tangible, result-oriented actions, which I would now like to outline:

 First: Institutional Development and Streamlining of Legal and Judicial Processes

 Pursuant to Article 113 of the Seventh Five-Year National Development Program and with the approval of the Council of Ministers, a specialized Working Group on the Recovery of Assets Derived from Corruption has been established within the Secretariat of the National Focal Point of the Convention. This Working Group represents a milestone in fostering inter-agency coordination. Under its governing regulations, our National Authority is now fully authorized to receive and transmit asset recovery requests without undue bureaucratic formalities, through all relevant international networks associated with the Convention, including Star, GlobE, and other specialized platforms. This initiative has significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of our international engagements.

 Second: Strategic Revision of Preventive Mandates

We have come to the firm conviction that combating corruption is not limited to prosecuting individual cases; rather, prevention is the cornerstone of any sustainable strategy. To this end, the Supreme Council for Crime Prevention in our country, in line with the review of Chapter II of the Convention, has comprehensively revised its mandates. The sections pertaining to anti-corruption efforts have been reinforced through the amendment of bylaws and regulations, thereby strengthening the entire prevention process.

Third: AI-Based Integrity Assessment and Grading System for Public Institutions

Allow me now to share a particularly valuable experience: a joint initiative between our National Focal Point and the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy. We are currently in the process of launching a specialized Artificial Intelligence Assistant. This AI tool is designed to conduct both dynamic and static assessments of corruption risks within the public sector, tailored to the specific missions and authorities of each governmental entity.

Based on its data analysis, this Assistant will ultimately produce a ranking system for State institutions according to their levels of integrity and transparency. Furthermore, it will award these institutions “graded integrity certificates” as a visible marker of their compliance and good governance. This initiative is not merely a supervisory mechanism; it is also a platform for fostering healthy competition and increasing accountability among public bodies.

 Fourth: Developing a comprehensive National Strategic Document

Among the measures that require particular attention is developing and adopting our new comprehensive National Strategic Document on Combating Corruption, in line with Chapter II of the Convention, with the active participation and close cooperation of all relevant stakeholders. Through a comprehensive institutional mapping, the Document clearly delineates the respective mandates and responsibilities of the institutions responsible for combating corruption and facilitates effective coordination and cooperation among them.

These four pillars, institutional facilitation, preventive reinforcement, technological innovation, and developing a new comprehensive strategy represent our commitment to the effective implementation of the Convention. We are confident that sharing these experiences can contribute meaningfully to our collective efforts in combatting corruption.

 Thank you.