Ukraine is currently fighting a double battle — for freedom and territorial integrity, as well as for a state free from corruption. These two victories are interrelated. Victory over corruption is not only a prerequisite for membership in the European Union, but also a necessary condition for strengthening European unity, the rule of law, and trust between member states. This was stated by Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), during the panel discussion ‘Strengthening the Rule of Law through Enhanced Integrity and Effective Law Enforcement’ at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), which is taking place this year in Rome, Italy.
Viktor Pavlushchyk emphasised that Ukraine's progress has been noted by leading international organisations. The NACP coordinates the implementation of recommendations from international organisations, in particular the Council of Europe, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In particular, the day before in Paris, the Ukrainian delegation presented the results of a comprehensive assessment of Ukraine's anti-corruption policy, conducted as part of the 5th round of monitoring of the Istanbul Action Plan to Combat Corruption, during the plenary meeting of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network. Ukraine scored over 90 out of 100 points in three strategically important areas: anti-corruption policy, institutional capacity, and whistleblower protection. The OECD Monitoring Group noted that in the two years since the previous assessment, Ukraine had made significant progress in most areas.
“The key indicator of the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy is the practical experience of citizens. According to the results of surveys, in 2024 only 18.7% of respondents reported personal experience of corruption, which is significantly less than the more than 70% of citizens in 2015. This is not just a figure. It is a sign that the changes are real and that Ukrainians feel them. We know that there is still a long way to go. But every step, every declaration check, and every protected whistleblower brings us closer to a better future for Ukraine,” emphasised the NACP Head.
Also on the sidelines of the URC, NACP Head Viktor Pavlushchyk and President of the National Anti-Corruption Authority of the Italian Republic (ANAC) Giuseppe Busia signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
“This document is a real step towards cooperation: joint research, exchange of experience, participation in international projects. This partnership is of particular importance for Ukraine. In the process of European integration and preparation for large-scale post-war reconstruction, effective, transparent and accountable public administration is not only a goal — it is a prerequisite. The partnership with ANAC gives us the opportunity to jointly implement practical solutions and maintain high standards of integrity," Viktor Pavlushchyk emphasised.
For reference
URC2025 is the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference, continuing a series of high-level political events dedicated to the rapid recovery and long-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. The conference brings together governments, international organisations, financial institutions, businesses, regions, municipalities and civil society to reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening Ukraine's resilience for as long as necessary. Continuing in the spirit of the Ukraine Reform Conferences held until 2022, URC2025 will also showcase Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms in the context of its economic resilience and EU accession process.
