IFES, International IDEA, and UNODC host first webinar for new Global Political Finance Practitioners' Forum
On October 29, 2026, IFES, International IDEA, and UNODC hosted an online learning session on “The Role of Political Finance Oversight Bodies: Navigating Implementation of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption Resolution 11/7,” the first in a series of anticipated webinars and convenings for members of a new Global Political Finance Practitioners' Forum. More than 100 political finance practitioners and experts from around the world joined the webinar.
During the session, participants heard from political finance experts at the host organizations, including an overview of UNCAC resolution 11/7, the first ever global resolution specific to political finance. Expert practitioners from Mongolia, Panama, and South Africa provided experiences and perspectives from their respective countries and institutions, including the actions they have taken to advance the Resolution and improve the regulation of political finance.
Head of the Office of the General Election Commission (GEC) of Mongolia, Mr. D. Bat-Erdene, discussed Mongolia’s experiences in working to regulate political finance, in particular their commitment to sharing political finance data, and their leadership in hosting the International Roundtable on Political Finance Transparency and Oversight that took place in Ulaanbaatar in September. The resulting Ulaanbaatar Declaration on Transparency and Control of Political Financing outlines common principles of transparency, accountability, effective implementation of laws, fairness and equal opportunities for political parties, level playing field and state neutrality, cooperation and inclusive participation.
Mr. George Mahlangu, Chief Executive for Party Funding from the Electoral Commission of South Africa, shared information on South Africa’s journey to regulate political finance, from legislative reform to enforcement and the role that resolution 11/7 has played in reinforcing his country’s Political Funding Act.
From Panama we were joined by Marta González, Director of the Political Finance and Oversight Directorate at the Electoral Tribunal of Panama. She discussed Panama’s efforts to assess their own practices against the standards of resolution 11/7, including efforts to regulate the use of private and public funding for advertising, and their continued work to increase transparency related to political finance data.
This webinar is part of a new Global Initiative on Political Finance Transparency, made possible with generous support from the Government of Norway, which brings together IFES, International IDEA, and UNODC to support the implementation of resolution 11/7. Webinar participants and other interested political finance practitioners are invited to join the Global Political Finance Practitioners Forum, launched during this webinar.
About the Forum
The Global Political Finance Practitioners Forum is coordinated by IFES and International IDEA, with support from UNODC and funding from the Government of Norway. It aims to support the practical implementation of resolution 11/7 by providing a space for practitioners to exchange knowledge and stay informed about new research, case studies, initiatives and upcoming events.
Interested in joining the Forum and having access to these types of webinars and events in the future? Register here.
Explore resources related to resolution 11/7
- Learn more about the Global Initiative on Political Finance Transparency and Integrity, implemented by UNODC, International IDEA and IFES, with financial support from the Government of Norway.
- Read the full text of Resolution 11/7: Preventing and combating corruption through enhancing transparency in the funding of political parties, candidatures for elected public office and electoral campaigns.
- For a succinct overview of how the resolution is structured, insights on wording, and key themes and technical priorities found in the text, see the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ Quick Reference Guide on UNCAC Resolution 11/7.
- For real world examples of law and practice that align with the standards of the resolution, see the explainer coordinated by Transparency International, with input from International IDEA and IFES, among others: Getting Political Finance Right: Preventing Corruption with UNCAC COSP Resolution 11/7.
- Providing an additional perspective on commitments to advancing political finance transparency and oversight, the Ulaanbaatar Statement on Political Finance Transparency and Oversight, discussed during the presentation from Mongolia.
This blog post has been jointly authored by International IDEA and IFES.
