Uzbekistan in the struggle for transparency and accountability
The fight against corruption remains one of the most pressing problems in the modern world. Currently, the damage caused by corruption amounts to about three trillion dollars. However, it is impossible to measure the scale of moral damage inflicted on society.
Corruption is a real threat that undermines the foundations of all humanity, strikes a blow to the economy, destroys the rule of law and drastically reduces people's trust in state policy, and impedes the development of democratic institutions.
Protection of human rights and interests is at the center of the fundamental reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan, and therefore the targeted fight against corruption has become one of the most important areas of State policy. In this connection, our country is taking consistent measures to introduce a system of prevention and uncompromising fight against corruption based on the best international standards. In particular, necessary conditions
have been created for effective and efficient public control over State administration by ensuring openness, publicity and transparency in the activities of State bodies and organizations and the accountability of officials to the public.
The strong political will of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the fight against corruption deserves special mention. The strategy, implemented in accordance with the principles of systematicity, consistency and openness, is a key factor of success in this direction. The existence of committees on
anti-corruption and judicial and legal issues in both chambers
of the Oliy Majlis is also important in the implementation of parliamentary control. Moreover, State programs to counter this evil have been developed and are being implemented. The Agency for Combating Corruption of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been established, which is charged with the task of ensuring joint activities of state bodies, mass media and civil society institutions.
An important mechanism of anti-corruption measures is not only to combat the consequences of corruption, but also to eliminate the factors leading to its manifestations. In particular, it concerns openness and transparency of the activities of state bodies, including financial ones; elimination of conflicts of interest in the control over the work of public administration bodies; ensuring inevitability of responsibility for corruption offenses; strengthening the guarantees of state protection of persons reporting corruption offenses and their close relatives.
At the same time, Uzbekistan cooperates closely in its work with such authoritative international structures as the United Nations, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and others. Our country became a member of the International Charter for Open Data in 2021, and actively participates in the Istanbul Action Program, the Global Operational Network, the Eurasian and Egmont groups and many other platforms. It serves as the Secretariat of the Asset Recovery Network in West and Central Asia.
The traditional International Anti-Corruption Forum is held annually in Tashkent. In recent years, our country has risen to 42 positions in the Transparency International index, taking the highest place in the region. We have also set a goal to improve the indicator in this rating, to rise by another 50 positions by 2030.
In 2023, the country rose to 30th place in the Open Data Inventory rating, and Uzbekistan ranks 4th in the world in terms of the number of open data sources.
The effective approach to combating corruption in Uzbekistan has been reflected in international recognition. As the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted at the ceremony of awarding the high International Anti-Corruption Prize: "Establishment of a global prize in the sphere of combating corruption, which is one of the most pressing problems of our rapidly changing world, and holding the ceremony of awarding this prize on all continents, certainly deserves high recognition. After all, the fight against corruption is a sacred duty of every person with a clear conscience, of every democratic society and state".
Recognizing and awarding this prestigious prize to the most active individuals who make a worthy contribution to the fight against corruption in the world serves to consistently implement the UN Convention against Corruption, adopted 20 years ago.
At the same time, the efforts of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the global level, who shares with the peoples of the world his progressive achievements and investments, energetically and courageously fights corruption, along with common good aspirations, makes it possible to achieve significant results.
International recognition will give a new impetus to the realization of Uzbekistan's big plans and tasks in the field of combating corruption. In particular, it concerns the development and implementation of the National Strategy to Combat Corruption until 2030. Particular attention will be paid to further ensuring transparency of activities and increasing accountability of state bodies, improving the system of open data, strengthening the legal framework and institutional mechanisms of the sphere.
The potential of the Anti-Corruption Agency is enhanced by strengthening close cooperation with foreign specialized institutions. Based on the most advanced international experience, new mechanisms will be introduced, the institution of "preliminary study" on the facts of corruption - anti-corruption investigation.
On December 19, on the territory of the International Business Center Tashkent City, an opening ceremony of the monument - an open palm raised upwards was held. It is a symbol that we all shake hands firmly with those who participate in this struggle, who firmly and tirelessly follow the path of justice. This important work has become irreversible in Uzbekistan
