The workshop is held under the auspices of the Regional Programme, “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption (SEE-TAC)”, which is primarily focused on strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation and responses to the challenges posed by corruption in the SEE region.
Speaking at the opening session, H.E. Michael Müller, the Ambassador of Austria in Montenegro, emphasized that workshops like this contribute to enhancing the ability of civil society and the private sector to participate meaningfully in implementing the Convention. He stated, "Efforts against corruption concern us all, therefore the intensification of regional cooperation and exchange of experiences are important". Trust in governments and public administration was highlighted by Müller as the “fragile link binding society together”.
Nina Sekulovic, representing the Agency for Prevention of Corruption in Montenegro, mentioned that the country is striving towards “continuous and comprehensive efforts for the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption”. Montenegro conducted the country visit during the second cycle of the UNCAC review in March 2022, and notably, civil society organizations previously trained by UNODC through similar workshops were invited by the government to participate in the process. In 2022, Montenegro also signed the UNCAC Coalition’s Transparency Pledge, voluntarily committing to a high level of transparency during the second cycle of the UNCAC implementation review.
In recent years, countries in SEE have increased their endeavours to implement legislative and preventive measures to counter corruption. Alongside national legislations, the UNCAC provides legal guidance to address the challenges posed by corruption and bribery. Approximately 97% of states globally, including all in SEE, have engaged non-state actors in the second cycle review of UNCAC implementation. As the second cycle unfolds, it remains crucial to continue training civil society organizations working on anti-corruption to ensure that transparency, accountability and respect for human rights are upheld and that recommendations stemming from the two cycle reviews are thoroughly implemented.
