Transparent Return and Monitoring of Repatriated Assets: GFAR Principles and Civil Society Oversight

Course overview

When stolen assets are returned from abroad, the public in both countries wants assurance that the money will not be stolen again. The principles agreed at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery in 2017 set out how returns should be handled: transparency, accountability, the involvement of civil society and case-by-case agreements. This GFAR principles training shows officials and civil society how to apply those principles in practice.

Participants study the international framework for asset return, including UNCAC Article 57, and the GFAR principles in detail. They examine how returns have been negotiated and monitored in African cases, and what made some succeed and others attract criticism. Practical sessions cover drafting return agreements, choosing channels for using returned funds, designing monitoring arrangements with independent and civil society participation, and reporting results to the public in both countries. Participants also consider the perspective of the returning state and how to build trust between both sides.

Participants leave able to negotiate, implement and monitor asset returns that meet international principles and earn public trust.

What you will be able to do

• Explain the international framework for returning stolen assets
• Apply the GFAR principles to asset return cases
• Draft key terms for return agreements
• Choose channels for using returned funds
• Design monitoring arrangements that include civil society
• Report on returned assets transparently in both countries

Who should attend

For officials who negotiate or manage returned assets and for civil society organisations involved in monitoring them.

• Ministry of justice and finance officials
• Central authority officers
• Asset recovery agency leaders
• Civil society monitoring organisations
• Auditor-general staff
• Development partner advisers

Course outline

Fees are per participant in US dollars and cover tuition, course materials and your certificate. Travel and accommodation are not included.