From Doha to Ulaanbaatar: Turning Political Finance Commitments into Action

On 22-24 September 2026, "International Roundtable on Political Finance Transparency and Oversight" was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Organized by the General Election Commission of Mongolia in collaboration with International IDEA, Open Government Partnership, Transparency International, Open Society Forum, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the roundtable brought together regional stakeholders, international organizations and representatives from more than 40 countries, turning international commitments into concrete reform action plans.

The roundtable built on the momentum created by the adoption of UNCAC (United Nations Convention against Corruption) Resolution 11/7 in Doha in 2025. Discussions focused on how to translate the resolution's commitments into practice, both in Asia and globally. Over two days, participants addressed institutional capacities and mandates, inter-agency coordination, digital oversight systems and obstacles to effective implementation across the region. Participants also discussed the role of civil society and the media, emerging risks in the digital environment, and how international commitments can be translated into national reforms. Across these discussions, political finance transparency was highlighted as an integral part of broader anti-corruption efforts and democratic governance.

International IDEA contributed substantially to discussions throughout the event and launched its new report on Citizen Monitoring of Political and Campaign Finance in Asia, presented by Adhy Aman, Senior Programme Manager for Asia and the Pacific. The report examines the role that citizen monitoring can play in strengthening transparency and accountability in political and campaign finance across the region.

The event also brought together partners of the newly launched Global Initiative for Political Finance Transparency and Integrity, comprising International IDEA, UNODC and IFES, with the support of the Government of Norway. The roundtable provided an opportunity to discuss next steps for the initiative, including how countries in Asia can be engaged and supported in implementing Resolution 11/7 in 2027 and beyond.

One of the key outcomes of the roundtable was the adoption of the Ulaanbaatar Statement, confirming the importance of advancing political finance transparency and integrity across the region. The Statement sets out clear priorities and calls on State Parties to advance cooperation and action in transparency and digital disclosure, effective and independent oversight, inter-agency cooperation, the prevention of political finance risks and corruption, inclusive participation and public oversight, emerging risks in the digital environment and international cooperation to support the implementation of Resolution 11/7.

International IDEA is grateful to the General Election Commission and to Mongolia, an International IDEA Member State, for its leadership in advancing political finance transparency in the region, as well as to the other partners and participants for a productive and forward-looking roundtable.