The new Enhanced Public Sector Transparency and Integrity Project (2015-2018) aims at ensuring the compliance of Ukrainian corruption prevention institutions with international standards for transparency and accountability and, thus, helping them become more responsive and effective.

 

The main objectives of the Project are to review the existing impediments towards the fully-functioning National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) and to galvanize the deployment of its mandate, to ensure the development of an effective e-asset declarations verification system and conflict of interest management.

 

In his welcome remarks the Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine Christian Dons Christensen underlined that the Danish Government puts great priority to enhancing transparency in all countries and welcomes the Ukrainian Government's commitment to the fight against corruption.

 

Christian Dons Christensen stressed that the fight against corruption requires dedication and joint efforts of both the Government and the society. "Any fight against corruption must have at its centre the reestablishment of trust between society and the public sector. And enhancement of the transparency and integrity of the public sector is a key vehicle for this purpose," the Ambassador said. He also expressed his sincere hope that the new project will contribute to this difficult task which is however crucial for the prosperity and dignity of Ukraine.

 

"Ukraine sets sail for an ambitious anti-corruption reform which cannot be completed without a sound institutional architecture. This is why it is so crucial to ensure the launch of the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption," said Janthomas Hiemstra, UNDP Country Director in Ukraine.

 

After setting up the NAPC, a single electronic state register of asset declarations of public officials will be available online for all citizens, bringing Ukraine one step closer to citizens' control over officials and over the assessment of their lifestyle against their declared income and assets.

 

Being one of the most important instruments to promote transparency and prevent corruption in public administration, the first e-asset declaration system ever developed in Ukraine was presented for the general public.

 

This tool is seen as a significant step in eliminating bureaucracy. With its launch, approximately 500-700,000 public officials will have a 'one stop shop' electronic facility open 24/7 instead of the current complex procedure of paper declaration filling.

 

According to the new electronic asset declaration system, an official will be requested to declare a wide range of assets – real estate, construction in progress, valuable movable and immovable property, securities, corporate rights, intangible assets, and legal entities whose ultimate beneficiary is the subject of the declaration or the members of his/her family.

 

"The electronic income and asset declarations system will be an effective mechanism for monitoring public officials," emphasised Pavlo Petrenko, Minister of Justice.

 

 

These important topics were discussed by top state officials, leading experts, and civic activists not only from Ukraine, but also from Serbia, Croatia, Romania, and the Czech Republic.

 

The participants also analysed the obstacles related to the launch of electronic asset declaration system, the best practices in the area of conflict of interest, and anti-corruption measures at local level.

 

Check out the event's story told in tweets here.