Global South Forum on Asset Recovery, Nairobi

Nairobi – The first Global South Forum on Asset Recovery (GSF) is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya on 7-9 November. The Global South Forum is organised by the Civil Forum for Asset Recovery (CiFAR) and it is a first-of its-kind civil society-led meeting aimed at discussing current issues, challenges and opportunities presented by ongoing cases of asset recovery with a focus on the perspective of civil society from the Global South.

The theft of public money and the hiding of this money at home and overseas continues to be a problem affecting countries across the globe. Funds are channelled away from scrutiny by law enforcement and the public more broadly and hidden, enabling corrupt persons to enjoy lavish lifestyles beyond their means and at the expense of the public. The World Bank estimates up to $40 billion per year is transferred in this way” 

– according to Jackson Oldfield, Co-Director of the Civil Forum for Asset Recovery.

This forum aims to draw attention to the different experiences and priorities of organisations from the differing ends of the asset recovery process, and bridge coalitions to close those gaps, strengthen cooperation and, ultimately, improve joint work that increases anti-corruption prevention. It will also be a chance to discuss progress made since the 2017 Global Forum for Asset Recovery and to develop Civil Society Organisations-led policy positions for the coming years.

“With this first Forum being held in Nairobi, we also have the opportunity to engage and build on the work done to strengthen anti-corruption investigations and recover stolen assets in Kenya“

– said Rose Wanjiru, CiFAR Kenya Coordinator.

30 CSOs are participating in the Forum, from organisations based in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, France, Kenya, Moldova, Mozambique, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Ukraine, amongst others.