The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has recently approved the Strategy for the Development of the Public Procurement System for 2024-2026. The Strategy aims to increase the operational efficiency of the procurement process, harmonise legislation with EU directives, professionalize the procurement process, and introduce sustainable development tools including electronic analytical tools.
As part of the Global Action for Business Integrity project funded by the Siemens Business Integrity Initiative, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized one training and one workshop from 10 to 13 September to build private sector capacity in public procurement and provide recommendations for improving its legal framework, in line with the Government Strategy for 2024-2026.
A wide range of participants attended the workshop, including from NACP, UNIC, UN Global Compact, Transparency International, Open Contracting Partnership, representatives from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), state-owned enterprises and representatives of public sector and civil society. Active discussions were held on assessing the Strategy and participants made recommendations for the design of inclusive, efficient and sustainable governance structures which would further promote the principles of transparency and integrity. Specific recommendations on the integration of public and private interests in the newly designed procurement system for an optimised post-conflict reconstruction process and the efficient development of Ukraine's economic stability were also discussed.
As the guardian of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), UNODC has integrated the international anti-corruption standards and tools of the UNCAC and the priorities of the Global Action for Business Integrity into its work.
During the capacity building session on best practices in public procurement for private sector representatives, participants focused on the use of digital procurement platforms such as Prozzoro and Dozzoro as key to deepening the digitalisation of the procurement process and reducing abuse, ensuring that private companies can operate efficiently in the new procurement environment and boost its efficiency and quality.
"We are establishing the principles of a transparent economy capable of meeting the challenges and attracting necessary investment. The partnerships we have seen develop between the public and private sectors will lay the ground for this in the future," stated Viktoriya Yegorova, UNODC National Project Officer (Anti-corruption).
The implementation of the procurement reform strategy over the next two years is expected to draw attention to Ukraine's evolving public procurement landscape. With the continued support of international organizations such as UNODC and the sustained commitment of local stakeholders, Ukraine is keen to establish itself as a model of procurement integrity.
Within the Global Action for Business Integrity project funded by the Siemens Business Integrity Initiative, the series of events facilitated collaborations with key stakeholders, such as the UN Global Compact, the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, NGOs, state-owned enterprises and various private sector representatives, including small and medium businesses. Stakeholders were brought together, highlighting a collaborative effort to ensure that the public procurement system is transparent, accountable, and resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.
UNODC is the guardian of the UN Convention against Corruption and of Principle Ten of the UN Global Compact on Anti-Corruption: 'Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery'.
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