From 16-18 September 2009 in Astana, an international conference on “Creating Conditions for Sustainable Economic and Social Development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Fighting Corruption and Promoting Good Governance” took place, which was a key meeting on fighting corruption and good governance for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The conference was organised by the OECD and hosted by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Fight against Economic and Corruption Crime. It brought together representatives from about 60 countries, 20 international organizations from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and OECD member countries to discuss policies, progress, and practices in four key areas: transnational bribery, corruption in business, corruption in public education, and corruption in public procurement.
In light of the global economic crisis and rapid developments in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the conference provided a unique opportunity to discuss policy guidelines and international standards as well as examine the best practices in the field of fighting corruption. Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered a powerful message on September 16 affirming his country's commitment to fighting corruption. He gave a speech to mark the opening of the conference in Astana.
The President reminded participants that Kazakhstan was the first CIS country to adopt a special law ‘On the Fight against Corruption’. He also mentioned the lifetime ban on holding any positions in state bodies and organizations was also introduced for those who had been dismissed for corruption offenses. In addition, the Kazakh Government set up an Agency for the Fight against Economic and Corruption Crime (Financial police) and the Commission on Issues Related to the Fight against Corruption under the President - both of which operate effectively today.
“The fact that this Conference is held in Kazakhstan for the first time reflects our strong determination to be in the forefront of combating this global threat” said President Nazarbayev. The President also spoke about the future: “We [in Kazakhstan] aim to improve the system of governance, making it more compact and transparent. We must remove all unnecessary steps in State collaboration with citizens and the private sector - all of which can be a breeding ground for corruption.” – said President Nazarbayev.
Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, Mr. Aart de Geus, delivered a welcome speech at the international conference in Astana. "We are encouraged by the plans of Kazakhstan's leadership to move forward in this direction. Astana is a very important symbol of growth and ambitions for the future. We see it in the city's architecture, the commitments assumed by the politicians of Kazakhstan", he said. Mr. de Gaus emphasized that holding that anti-corruption conference Kazakhstan showed the Government's responsibility for the solution of the problem with corruption.
Senior officials and leaders of anti-corruption agencies from the OECD's Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Istanbul Anti-corruption Action Plan, as well as other participants of the international conference, adopted the Astana Statement on Good Governance and Combating Corruption.
The Statement confirmed the obligations of countries to fight corruption and promote good governance. Also participant countries agreed to make every effort to build more responsible and effective public administration and justice systems. They also agreed to eliminate corruption at all levels, especially in the spheres of public procurement, education, and other vulnerable areas such as extraction of natural resources, taking into account the highest standards of international practices. Furthermore they agreed to assist each other in providing information for investigation of criminal cases on corruption and to consider signing the agreements on cooperation by Conference state-members, and to provide effective tools in criminal process for decisive and effective investigations, and criminal prosecution of corruption while respecting human rights and freedoms.
Conference member states urged States that have not yet ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption to do so immediately, as well as other measures for its implementation.
For more information please contact:
Natalia Malyarchuk
Project Coordinator
Transparency Kazakhstan
office 41, 85 Karasai Batyr str.., Almaty, 050026
Republic of Kazakhstan
Tel./Fax +7 (727) 272-69-81
Web-page: www.transparencykazakhstan.org
www.alac.t
