The delegation of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) took part in the 4th meeting of the Business Integrity Group (BIG), organized in Paris by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The event brought together representatives of governments, business, civil society and international organizations to discuss strategies for improving business integrity.
Deputy Head of NACP Serhii Hupiak emphasized that Ukraine, on its way to sustainable economic development and strengthening its international reputation, is actively focusing on building integrity in the private sector.
"The goal of NACP as a body designed to prevent corruption in a particular area is to become a reliable partner of business, provide tools for the development of anti-corruption compliance, and support with methodology and advice. To this end, the NACP has developed, among other things, a Handbook for Building an Integrity Organization, a Model Code of Conduct, and a Management Handbook, which contain a number of practical recommendations for business. We are constantly cooperating with the OECD and the Business Advisory Council to help Ukrainian businesses operate transparently without questioning the benefits of implementing anti-corruption safeguards,” he said.
Yaroslav Lyubchenko, Head of the NACP's Security and Defense Integrity Policy Development Department, presented the main projects that the NACP is working on in terms of state-business cooperation in the security sector at a session dedicated to the role of specialized anti-corruption institutions in ensuring business integrity at the sectoral level. The key issues of the session included the introduction of effective management systems in government and business structures, increasing transparency in public procurement through the use of open data platforms, and encouraging cooperation between the defense sector and business to introduce innovations in procurement.
Also, in cooperation with the OECD Anti-Corruption Network Secretariat, Yaroslav Lyubchenko moderated a working group meeting on the role of governments in promoting and ensuring business integrity. Ukraine shared its best practices, including the cases of ProZorro, ProZorro.Sale and Medical Procurement. Based on the results of the group's work, it was proposed to create a database of best practices of states in promoting business integrity.
Participation in the BIG meeting was an important step in strengthening international cooperation and strengthening Ukraine's position in the field of corruption prevention. NACP plans to use the experience gained to further develop national initiatives.
As a reminder, the OECD unites 38 of the world's most developed countries. Its goal is to create the best solutions for public policies that will promote economic prosperity, equal opportunities and welfare.
In the summer of 2022, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal submitted an application for Ukraine's accession to the OECD. NACP plays a key role in the process of Ukraine's integration into the organization.
In March 2024, the OECD published the Report on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Ukraine based on the results of the fifth round of monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan. It showed that in 2022 and the first half of 2023, Ukraine demonstrated significant progress in various areas of fighting corruption and building integrity. For more details, please follow the link.
For reference: The Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) is a regional work program within the OECD Working Group on Bribery, established in 1998. Its mission is to support member countries in preventing and combating corruption through country analyses, networks of practitioners, and customized technical assistance.
The Business Integrity Group was established in 2021 and brings together representatives of companies, business associations, collective action initiatives and government agencies in ACC member countries. The BIG meets annually, providing a platform for participants to share experiences and collaborate with OECD members, the EU and other regions to promote ethical business behavior.
