UNODC and EBRD strengthen civil society engagement in the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Central Asia

The first ever Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Its Review Mechanism for Central Asiawelcomes over 100 representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector and public institutions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan from 24 to 25 November in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Due to the exceptional circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic, the workshop takes place in a hybrid format with nearly a half of the participants joining physically.

Corruption undermines development. Addressing it requires an effective multi-stakeholder approach involving all levels of society. The two-day workshop will seek to enhance participants’ knowledge of the Convention and the Implementation Review Mechanism, including entry points for CSOs. It will also provide a platform for constructive discussions and sharing of experiences and best regional and international practices on how the governments can engage non-state actors in the fight against corruption.

This multi-stakeholder workshop comes at an opportune moment for Uzbekistan, which, through its newly established Anti-Corruption Agency, is working to systematize anti-corruption policies, identifying strategic priorities and defining expected impacts on tackling corruption in the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed multiple weaknesses in the global fight against corruption. The negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic, however, go beyond the impact on public health. In taking emergency measures against the pandemic, Member states may have relaxed safeguards by trading compliance, oversight and accountability for speed of response and achievement of rapid impact. A lack of oversight, transparency, and stakeholder involvement due to the urgent responses required during the pandemic have exposed vulnerabilities and weaknesses in governance systems and public service delivery in existing national frameworks.

As the world is facing this pandemic, countries need to address these weaknesses by bringing their national frameworks in line with the UNCAC. The value of the UNCAC resides in its comprehensive approach as the sole global anti-corruption framework, covering prevention, law enforcement, international cooperation and asset recovery.

This event kick starts a new one-year UNODC-EBRD project entitled “Enhancing the capacity of civil society on good governance in Central Asia”. The project will support Uzbekistan and other countries in the region in their anti-corruption programming, inclusive of civil society and private sector participation.

 

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For more information, please contact

Vasilina Brazhko

UNODC ROCA Communication and PR Specialist

WhatsApp: +996775987817

E-mail: vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org