On December 9, the International Anti-Corruption Day Forum “From Euromaidan to European Integration” took place.

The event was dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day and was organized by the Pro-Integrity project: Promoting Integrity in the Public Sector (funded jointly by USAID - US Agency for International Development and UK International Development) together with the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

This year, Ukraine marks a decade since its historic transition to democracy and systemic anti-corruption reforms that have strengthened the country's commitment to a transparent, corruption-free public sector. During this time, newly created bodies have begun their work in Ukraine, and irreversible processes in public sector reform and anti-corruption policy have begun.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal addressed the audience with a welcoming speech: “Our strategy is to eliminate the possibility of corruption to the maximum extent possible. This means institutional changes, deregulation, digitalization, corporate governance, continuous improvement of the procurement system, high-quality audit and, of course, zero tolerance for corruption. At the same time, we continue to implement European legislation, which also enhances our institutional capacity as a state. I am grateful to all non-governmental organizations that help the Government and the state with constructive suggestions and advice.”

Speakers at the Forum included Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Oleh Nemchinov, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, representatives of relevant ministries, government agencies, NGOs and international organizations.

Olha Stefanishyna emphasized that since the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine had made a number of structural changes and continues to transform even in the midst of a full-scale war: “Despite the challenges, our commitment to EU values and European integration remains unchanged, and I am deeply grateful to our international partners for their support on this path. In late October, the European Commission published a report as part of the Enlargement Package, analyzing and assessing Ukraine's work on European integration. I am particularly proud that it recognized our progress in the rule of law and fundamental principles.”

The Forum participants discussed the key steps Ukraine has taken on the path to building integrity and fighting corruption over the past 10 years.

“Currently, on the way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Ukrainian institutions still have to adapt the standards of many partners. One of them is the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). For example, the Government's Anti-Corruption Program was adopted before the full-scale invasion began. In addition, we are currently doing everything we can to create equal conditions for everyone to enter the civil service and to engage veterans in the civil service. After all, a high-quality civil service is the key to the country's development and is also one of the conditions for European integration,” said Oleh Nemchinov, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Following the discussions, the panelists also held discussions on state asset management, digitalization and deregulation at the local level and corruption risks in recovery.

The final part of the event was the awarding of the winners of the competition for the best practices of anti-corruption commissioners.