In accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, organizations can take part as observers at meetings at the invitation of the State Party chairing the Conference. They may also ask to participate as observers at meetings of the Conference by sending a written request to the State Party chairing it.

Civil society participation in these events is important as it is a way for them to obtain first-hand information on the topics that will be addressed, and the manner in which the Convention provisions will be reviewed, as well as for planning their participation in future instances, where they will be able to play a more active role and be directly involved in the country's review.

It is the body responsible for the technical analysis of the implementation of the Convention by States. The Committee meets twice a year in Washington, D.C., to consider and adopt anticorruption reports on the States under review, as well as to exchange best practices and discuss matters of common interest with a view to strengthening cooperation against corruption within the Convention's framework.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, civil society organizations registered with the OAS may attend the meeting held in advance of the Committee's plenary session in order to present the documents previously submitted by them for the preparation of the report on the country under review. They may participate, either by asking the MESICIC Technical Secretariat (at legalcooperation@oas.org), or by formal invitation by the Committee of Experts.

It is an opportunity to elaborate on the information previously submitted by them for the analysis of the country under review from the point of view of civil society.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, organizations can participate in two different manners: On one hand, civil society organizations registered with the OAS can submit documents and proposals on Convention provisions to be reviewed in a future round, on the review methodology to be used, and on the preparation of the questionnaire to be put to the States and civil society organizations of the countries under review. On the other hand, civil society organizations registered with the OAS can themselves directly submit a reply to the questionnaire prepared for the country under review.

Participation in this context gives civil society organizations a key opportunity to ensure objectivity in the review by providing the experts with different perspectives on the issues to be evaluated in the country under review.

DIn accordance with the Methodology for conducting on-site visits, in order to take part in the meetings held during the on-site visit to their country, organizations that have submitted documents for the preparation of the country report will receive an invitation from the government agency that reports to the MESICIC. Other organizations may also participate, whether or not they have answered the questionnaire, provided that they receive an invitation, in accordance with the above mentioned Methodology.

It gives them an opportunity to meet in-person with MESICIC experts and present all the information, data, and research that they have on progress and shortcomings in the anticorruption laws, policies, and institutions of the country under review.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedures in place, civil society organizations interested in presenting a relevant topic to the Committee of Experts, such as research, studies, analysis, etc., should do so by contacting the technical Secretariat at (legalcooperation@oas.org) in advance of the next meeting of the Committee.

It provides an opportunity to bring research, studies, and analysis to the attention of the anticorruption experts of States on topics that they may not be evaluating directly but are, nevertheless, of collective interest in terms of leading to actions and progress in combating corruption.