03 November 2023

Commentary - For Your Eyes

 

Commentary 

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Comparing Ukraine with its neighbors


Ministry for Restoration of Ukraine presents anti-corruption programme

OCTOBER 9, 2023


FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE: A SERIOUS CHALLENGE

31 October 2012

The elections in Ukraine have returned the ruling party to power but with a tarnished image. Independent election monitors noted many irregularities on both poling day and in the run-up to the vote. This should be no surprise. In May 2011 TORO, the Transparency International national contact group in Ukraine, published an assessment of the institutions in the country, which concluded:

“Corruption in Ukraine is a systemic problem existing across the board and at all levels of public administration. 
  • Both petty and grand scale corruption are flourishing. 
  • Among the institutions which are perceived by the public to be highly corrupt are political parties, legislature, police, public officials and the judiciary. 
  • Ukrainian society can be characterised as a society with a high tolerance for corrupt practices.”
Ukraine has received millions from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for programmes that included improving governance but this does not appear to have much impact on public perception. 
  • In addition the World Bank, which has lent Ukraine $7 billion, reviewed the government’s performance in 2010 and found poor governance and corruption are a major deterrent to growth and foreign direct investment.

In 2011 the government terminated the position of government agency for anti-corruption policy and in May 2012 created a new National Anti-Corruption Committee but this has yet to produce any results.

Ukraine by the numbers

Our 2010-2011 survey of public opinion reported that one in three people had paid a bribe when dealing with public services and all the main institutions dealing with corruption – judiciary, political parties, parliament, police and public officials – were ranked as highly corrupt.

Ukraine GCB 2010/11 table

Visit our country profile for Ukraine

Best practice is possible

Ukraine has signed up to both the Open Government Partnership and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. For the OGP it has an Action Plan and has committed to draft laws on the implementation of recommendations made by the European Union’s anti-corruption body, GRECO monitoring, but this has not yet been implemented.

In the National Integrity System study which looked at the strengths of Ukraine’s institutions and its ability to fight corruption, 
TORO found that public sector corruption is a widespread problem in the country. 
The report suggests that many institutions in Ukraine continue to hide behind a ‘veil of secrecy’, including a lack of transparency in both media ownership and the funding of political parties.

The report recommends that the Ukrainian Parliament implement reforms in a range of institutions, including the creation of a politically independent judiciary, reform of the funding of political parties and electoral campaigns, and a new version of the Law on Public Service to ensure greater integrity and professionalism within administrative services. A strong political commitment to anti-corruption is required to ensure implementation.




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We Will Rebuild Ukraine with Transparency
By 

Yulia Svyrydenko

Oct 30, 2023, 11:07 am EDT  







Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister of Ukraine

Photo: The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

KYIV, 9 October 2023 – Ukraine's Ministry for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development has unveiled its Anti-Corruption Programme for 2023-2025 – an initiative developed with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme, and generously funded by the Government of Japan.

The strategy for 2023-2025 includes corruption risks assessments and sets out the main principles of the ministry's anti-corruption work, along with strategic goals in the formation of departmental anti-corruption policy and measures aimed at achieving them.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Oleksandr Kubrakov, Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine Jaco Сilliers and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori all spoke at the official presentation of the Anti-Corruption Programme. Afterwards, event participants joined in a panel discussion called "Transparent recovery: how to prevent corruption risks," and participated in workshops on corruption risk assessment and management.

In his opening remarks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said the State Anti-Corruption Programme consists of 1,700 actions across 15 areas, which includes plans to implement 63 new digital products that will significantly reduce opportunities for any misconduct.

“All ministries must approve their relevant anti-corruption programmes,” Shmygal said.  “These anti-corruption initiatives are to be one of the key directions of the Unified Reform Plan until 2027."

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and the Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development emphasized the urgency of the Anti-Corruption Programme amidst Ukraine's reconstruction.

"Our ultimate aim is a rejuvenated, modern Ukraine," Kubrakov said. 
"Since the start of the) invasion, the Government has been tirelessly working towards the directives set by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal: 
  • to rebuild transparently and accountably, and 
  • free from corruption risks. 
This approach fosters trust among our international partners and investors, and resonates deeply with our citizens."

Jaco Cilliers, Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine, highlighted the ministry's central role in Ukraine's recovery and emphasized the importance of top-level commitment to battling corruption.

"The Ministry's anti-corruption programme serves as a strategic roadmap to boost its transparency and accountability," Cilliers said. "Their dedicated team has set a strong foundation for the nation's recovery. At UNDP, we stand steadfastly with Ukraine, championing these efforts and advocating for a brighter, corruption-free future for its people."

Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, said it was now an opportune  time to intensify joint efforts against corruption in Ukraine.

"With the World Bank estimating Ukraine's recovery needs at $411 billion, we must ensure efficient management of all available funds,” Kuninori said.

“Moreover, beyond government and international donor funds, Ukraine's reconstruction also hinges on attracting private sector investments. 
However, corruption can deter businesses from investing in a country. Japan stands steadfastly with Ukraine, committed to bolstering its progress and supporting its path towards a more prosperous future.”

Media inquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org


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