UNODC and Anti-Corruption Agency of Kazakhstan conducted the International Workshop ‘Enhancing Anti-Corruption Due Diligence and Collaboration in International Investment Projects’ in Kazakhstan.

On 18-19 May 2023, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan conducted an international workshop on ‘Enhancing Anti-Corruption Due Diligence and Collaboration in International Investment Projects’. The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Network of Anti-Corruption Practitioners along the Silk Road Economic Belt with a focus on the experiences of the countries of Central Asia and South Caucasus.

 

The event was aimed at raising awareness of the causes and consequences of corruption in international investment projects, building, and strengthening the capacity of experts in preventing and combating corruption in this area by sharing and learning from national good practices, identifying challenges and advocating for use of international standards.

The forum brought together over 80 representatives and experts from anti-corruption, law enforcement and investment promotion agencies, civil society, the private sector from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, France, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Türkiye.

 

“Strengthening the international cooperation is one of the main priorities of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We are open to dialogue and exchange of experience constantly expanding the boundaries of international cooperation. Today's event is a vivid confirmation of this fact”, - emphasized Askhat Zhumagali, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in his opening speech.

 

Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia in her opening remarks emphasized the importance of working on anti-corruption starting right from the highest levels of leadership, and cascading down to institutions, businesses, communities, and individuals.

 

Ouyang Baiqing, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the National Commission of Supervision of the People's Republic of China noted that China would continue supporting the central coordinating role played by UNODC and proceed strengthening active cooperation with relevant anti-corruption bodies in building a favorable business environment for ‘One Belt One Road’* projects.

 *The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by the Chinese government in 2013, has become one of the largest international cooperation platforms for economic development and international investments. To enhance synergies between promoting sustainable development through the implementation of UNCAC and mitigating corruption risks in relation to international investment projects under BRI, UNODC has launched a project entitled "Fostering sustainable development by supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt." This project aims to establish and maintain a network of anti-corruption practitioners to promote international cooperation in preventing and combatting corruption in international investment projects by, inter alia, enhancing the exchange of information, good practices and knowledge and strengthening capacities of relevant States.

During the sessions, the participants discussed best practices and lessons learnt in the area of anti-corruption due diligence in the work of foreign investment promotion agencies. The parties highlighted various corruption risks during investment process, explored key issues regarding the involvement of business structures in combating corruption, measures aimed at creating an environment that ensures the impossibility of committing or concealing corruption offenses. Various good practices enabling a favorable investment climate while ensuring the integrity and social responsibility of investors were also discussed by the participants.

“Anti-Corruption Agencies and Investment Promotion Agencies need to develop effective coordination and cooperation frameworks; requirements of UNCAC and other international anti-corruption instruments should be implemented in practice; joint action on promotion of initiatives in the private and corporate sector on integrity, good governance and transparency need to be further strengthened”, - said Vladimir Kozin, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor at the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

 

Many participants stressed that the event provided a unique platform for building synergies between the public agencies involved in anti-corruption, investment promotion agencies and civil society and the private sector.

 

The expert panelists participated in guided group exercises and discussed practical cases scenarios covering the topics of due diligence in international investment projects and coordination of the activities of economic regulators and law enforcement agencies in the context of promotion of domestic investments.

 

Following the workshop, the participants exchanged best practices and knowledge, as well as strengthened the network of international partnerships in the field of combating corruption in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal # 16 "Promote a peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development, ensure access to justice for all and create effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels."

  

Watch the feedback on the workshop from:

  • Ouyang Baiqing, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the National Commission of Supervision of the People's Republic of China;
  • Anar Zharova, Advisor to the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
  • Sherali Rakhmanov, Deputy Head of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.  

For further information please contact:              

Arifa Fatikhova    

Communications and External Relations Officer 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 99) 825-05-43 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[at]un.org