Today, January 24, 2024, a regular meeting of the working group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) Committee on Legal Policy was held. During the meeting, the draft Law "On Virtuous Lobbying" (Reg. No. 10337) was discussed. MPs may submit amendments to the draft law by the end of today.
"The National Agency calls on MPs to finalize the draft law in order to adopt a balanced and effective law that will meet the best international practices and standards. Together, we must achieve our goal of building a system of transparent and virtuous influence and overcoming corruption in Ukraine," said Anastasiia Zernova, member of the relevant working group in the VRU Committee and Head of the Department for Organization of Work with Stakeholders and Ensuring Adoption of Anti-Corruption Policy Acts of the NACP.
Since 2022, the NACP has developed legislative proposals and an expert base, as well as analyzed the best international practices for the formation of an institution of fair lobbying in Ukraine. In accordance with clause 3 of the Action Plan to Prevent the Abuse of Undue Influence by Persons with Significant Economic and Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs), the NACP is responsible for developing and supporting the draft law on lobbying in the Verkhovna Rada.
Legislative regulation of lobbying is envisaged by the State Anti-Corruption Program for 2023–2025, recommendations of the GRECO Group of States against Corruption, and the European Commission.
The adoption of a law on lobbying regulation becomes especially important in the context of Ukraine's post-war recovery, especially when foreign investment is coming in for reconstruction.
