Asset Recovery Strategic Partnerships

The proceeds of public corruption often end up in financial centres outside the countries of origin. Recovering these stolen assets entails cumbersome investigations, lengthy judicial proceedings, mutual legal assistance and agreeing on the mechanics of restitution.

Asset recovery is not only a key component in the global fight against corruption, but also an important source of development financing (SDG target 16.4). Switzerland has returned more stolen assets than any other state, accompanied the implementation of those funds, and promotes international standards and best practices at global level.

Switzerland’s leadership is complemented by collaboration with strategic partners, which facilitates efficient cooperation and ultimately contributes to assets being returned to the benefit of the population of the state of origin.

• Countries requesting technical support, in particular financial investigation units, anticorruption authorities, and prosecutor’s offices
• Multilateral agencies and fora (e.g. Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption)
• Governmental and nongovernmental asset recovery networks of practitioners
• Populations in partner countries, particularly the poorest, who suffer most from corruption, inappropriate governance and the lack of a functioning and independent judiciary

1. Capacity and expertise on asset recovery processes in countries of origin are strengthened
2. Swiss priorities and experiences are embedded in global policy dialogue, international discourse, and norm setting on asset recovery
3. A growing international consensus on best practices in asset return is realised
4. Civil society plays an increased accountability role in asset recovery

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Strengthen tools, procedures, instruments, policies or institutions to recover stolen assets at country level
• Country level experiences fed into international policy discussions for improved responses, approaches or innovations to address asset recovery challenges
• Delivery of regular trainings on financial investigations, case management, conducting forensic audits, mutual legal assistance, beneficial ownership and other topics
• Publication of over 10 knowledge products
• Stewardship of Asset Recovery Watch Database and Anti-Money-Laundering Index

Risultati fasi precedenti:   ICAR and StAR have contributed to improved international standards; facilitated significant exchange in the multilateral sphere and between countries of origin and financial centres; provided technical assistance to over 30 jurisdictions; and assisted in the adoption of dozens of laws in partner countries. ICAR’s case work accelerated mutual legal assistance processes which led to the Peru restitution in 2020, while StAR’s work and insight helped to develop and position Switzerland in multilateral negotiations. The Expert Group Meetings on asset return (Addis Process) have been a success, with the report “A Net For All Fish” from the third meeting being particularly acclaimed by multilateral partners.

Swiss level: The partnerships are part of SDC’s work on governance and complement the work of other parts of the Swiss Administration working on asset recovery and anticorruption, such as the Directorate of International Law, the Prosperity and Sustainability Division, the Federal Office of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General. It also complements SECO’s work on anti-corruption and antimoney laundering.

International  level: The strategic partners work closely with each other, in addition to having intersections with the OECD, the Financial Action Task Force, and the UN system.