In 2020, Uzbekistan established a new Anti-Corruption Agency to guide and coordinate anti-corruption efforts in the country. This is an important step for Uzbekistan, which acceded to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2008 and, despite significant improvements, ranked 146 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index in 2020.
Since the creation of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has provided various types of support. With funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, UNODC facilitates efforts to increase engagement of civil society and the private sector on anti-corruption. This has resulted in the establishment of a new Public Council under the Anti-Corruption Agency.
Ongoing training on the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism is currently helping the Anti-Corruption Agency to coordinate the preparation of the self-assessment checklist on prevention and asset recovery within the framework of the second cycle of the UNCAC review, together with the General Prosecutor’s Office.
To consolidate and coordinate the mutual partnership, UNODC and the Anti-Corruption Agency recently signed an Action Plan for implementation of joint activities in four strategic areas: improvement of national anti-corruption policy and legislation; capacity building; supporting UNCAC implementation and participation in the Implementation Review Mechanism; and promotion of a culture of zero-tolerance to corruption in society and business.
Mr. Akmal Burkhanov, Head of the Anti-corruption Agency, highlighted the strategic importance of the planned activities for the Agency and the effective implementation of Uzbekistan’s anti-corruption policies. “The work UNODC is doing is fully appreciated by the people of Uzbekistan. Without curtailing organized crime and addressing corruption, sustainable development will not be possible”, Mr. Burkhanov said.
Anti-corruption measures are most effective when they are grounded in thorough research and analysis. Hence, the new Action Plan foresees training on research methodologies and cooperation on data collection and public awareness raising on corruption risks in healthcare and other public service sectors. Strengthening the capacity of the new Public Council and promoting investigative journalism are also foreseen.
Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, welcomed the efforts of Uzbekistan in tackling corruption. “Creation of an “integrity vaccine” through anti-corruption compliance and other preventive mechanisms is of crucial importance for Uzbekistan in its current stage of development. Enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector and bringing corruption proofing of legislation to a new level remain key priorities”, she stressed.
The signing of the Action Plan follows a multi-stakeholder UNCAC implementation workshop conducted together with the Anti-Corruption Agency in November 2020 for over 100 representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector and public institutions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Through the Public Council under the Anti-Corruption Agency and in partnership with a new civil society alliance for research on anti-corruption, established in partnership with the Academy of the General Prosecutor’s Office, UNODC will continue to support anti-corruption efforts. Capacity building for staff of the Anti-Corruption Agency on anti-corruption proofing of legislation and other issues is planned.
Other anti-corruption related work supported by UNODC includes capacity development on anti-money laundering and advisory support on asset recovery and management to support the establishment of an Integrated National Financing Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Anti-corruption training is provided regularly to high school teachers and police officers in cities, such as Andijan, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent, to enable them to work with youth to promote a culture of lawfulness and zero tolerance to corruption.
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For more information, please contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)
Communication and PR Specialist at
UNODC in Central Asia at
+996 775 987817 (WhatsApp and Telegram)
or by e-mail: vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org
