UNODC strengthens cooperation with Kazakh authorities on anti-corruption
© UNODC Civil Society Unit
Vienna (Austria), 25 March 2022 – From 14 to 16 March, UNODC together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) met with the leaders and experts of the
Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and other relevant national counterparts in Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) to discuss ongoing cooperation on anti-corruption and civil society engagement.
In recent years, the Central Asian region has experienced a series of anti-corruption reforms and campaigns. In Kazakhstan, the Concept of the Anti-Corruption Policy for 2022–2026 was approved by the President at the beginning of February. The document outlines the focus on preventive anti-corruption measures, enhanced public engagement and transparency. To support such efforts and national governments in the fight against corruption, UNODC and EBRD are implementing a project that aims to build and strengthen the capacities of relevant actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector on anti-corruption.
During the mission to Kazakhstan, the UNODC-EBRD team, headed by the UNODC Regional anti-corruption advisor, Mr. Vladimir Kozin met with the head of the ACA, Mr. Olzhas Bektenov and agreed on a two-year joint UNODC-Kazakhstan ACA work plan laying out cooperation addressing specific technical assistance needs of the country. Among other items, the plan includes a multi-stakeholder workshop on
the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Implementation Review Mechanism that will be held later in 2022. Furthermore, a roundtable discussion with NGOs was held pointing to the need for a regional Central Asian platform and exchange of information amongst civil society.
To this end, UNODC and EBRD will continue to support the work of all anti-corruption actors in the Central Asian region for the successful implementation of national anti-corruption strategies, as in line with the UNCAC.
