In Tashkent, the initiative "Improving Governance in Uzbekistan" has been announced, aimed at enhancing anti-corruption efforts in the country with a total cost of over 7 million euros. The initiative will be implemented by the European Union, the EU Consortium led by GIZ, UNDP in Uzbekistan, and the Agency for Combating Corruption in Uzbekistan, as reported by the UNDP office.
Funded by the European Union, the initiative will be carried out within the framework of two projects in close collaboration:
"Inclusive Corruption Prevention" - will be implemented by the EU Consortium led by GIZ in partnership with the Regional Dialogue and the Central Finance and Contracts Agency (CFLA) with a budget of 4.55 million euros, co-financed by the Government of Germany.
"Strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Ecosystem in Uzbekistan" - will be implemented by UNDP with a budget of 2.5 million euros.
The projects, planned for the period from 2024 to 2026, will cover all 14 regions of Uzbekistan.
By working with the main national partner - the Agency for Combating Corruption, as well as with other key government agencies responsible for corruption prevention and combating, civil society representatives, and the media, the projects aim to address "such crucial issues as weak institutionalization of anti-corruption efforts and the gap between the national and regional levels of their implementation."
The key areas of project activities include legal and institutional reforms, strengthening anti-corruption efforts by law enforcement agencies, and promoting social responsibility through civil activism.
It is expected that these efforts will yield tangible results, including strengthening national anti-corruption mechanisms, enhancing honesty and integrity, including at the regional and local levels, as well as increasing civil activism and awareness.
Statements
EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen stated: "This initiative confirms the EU's continuous support for the ambitious reform program in Uzbekistan. Supporting efforts to combat corruption will be crucial for ensuring sustainable and fair development."
Director of the Agency for Combating Corruption Akmal Burkhanov noted that the agency plans to carry out extensive work, including implementing the "Integrity Assessments" initiative, ensuring the coverage of anti-corruption reforms in all regions, integrating digital technologies and artificial intelligence into the anti-corruption system, enhancing cooperation with civil society institutions and enhancing their capacity, as well as establishing a coordination system for donor interaction in the anti-corruption field.
UNDP Acting Resident Representative Anas Karman and GIZ Director Joachim Fritz confirmed that these organizations are ready to continue supporting the government of Uzbekistan in its important journey towards promoting inclusive and people-centered governance transformations.
