The Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) is a platform organised by Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) that empowers investigators and prosecutors responsible for identifying and tracing assets. It facilitates necessary cooperation with financial centres to recover and return assets. Star, a partnership between the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs, was established in 2007 to support countries in implementing Chapter V of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). StAR actively engages with ongoing cases, provides capacity building and technical assistance to countries, and participates in global conferences related to asset recovery.

In September 2023, Zambia became a focus country in GFAR during a meeting in Vienna, featuring eight bilateral engagements with jurisdictions of interest. These interactions continued at the tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, held in Atlanta. Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) joined other jurisdictions in GFAR action series meetings. These sessions provided a space for sharing best practices globally and receiving technical training from global experts for asset recovery practitioners. Importantly, GFAR, addressing the challenges of international cooperation in corruption cases, facilitated bilateral and multi-jurisdictional meetings to advance asset recovery cases in focus countries.

Focus countries have reported direct progress in their asset recovery efforts through GFAR. The DPP noted significant progress in Zambia’s asset recovery through the GFAR action series. Moreover, with support from the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) and the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC), Zambia has received positive responses to Mutual Legal Assistance requests.