Nur-Sultan held 8th session of the IACA’s Assembly of Parties
2 October 2019 has seen the holding of the 8th session of the assembly of the parties of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan. The event has brought together more than 140 foreign guests from over 40 countries, Strategy2050.kz correspondent reports.
During the opening ceremony, some high-profile foreign guests and Kazakh representatives have delivered their speech.
Ms. Christiane Pohn-Hufnagl, Officer-in-Charge of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), in her opening speech, has expressed her hope for the successful future of the organization.
“It is timely that we have gathered here today to address the challenges faced by the IACA. Some of which have constituted existential threats to the organization,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Gocha Lordkipanidze, president of the 7th session of the Assembly and Deputy Justice Minister of Georgia, Georgian Ambassador to Kazakhstan His Excellency Mr.Zurab Abashidze expressed the appreciation to the Kazakh counterparts and the IACA.
In his turn, Mr. Krymbek Kusherbayev, Secretary of State of Kazakhstan, has delivered a speech on behalf of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
“The efficiency of the work of anti-corruption law-enforcement bodies depends on the professional level of their employees, the ability to promptly react to the emerging challenges and threats. In that context, the role of the International Anti-Corruption Academy grows that is unique as it represents both an international organization and an educational facility. Such a status allows it to train highly qualified specialists in the field of combating corruption. Our country has been following the path of combating corruption in compliance with the international standards,” he said while conveying the Kazakh President’s words.
In 2008, Kazakhstan adopted and has been implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption. On 27 August this year the Presidential order was signed to join Kazakhstan to a group of countries combating corruption.
“I am certain that the decisions that will have been adopted in our capital will contribute to the cooperation in the field of combating corruption and will further strengthen the authority of the Academy,” Mr.Kusherbayev has said on behalf of the Kazakh President.
Alik Shlekpayev, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of Kazakhstan, has stressed the country’s commitment to the Kazakh President’s policy, support to business and ordinary residents.
“There are different ways to combat corruption, they include openness and accountability, the rule of law, business and investors’ protection, civil servants’ accessibility,” he has stressed, adding that the Agency’s mission is to eradicate corruption for the benefit of Kazakh residents.
In his speech, Mr. Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub, has outlined that one of the issues reducing and undermining the quality of public administration thus eroding the trust of citizens is corruption.
“The Astana Hub has been paying special attention to the prevention of corruption… We have also conducted an analysis on prevention of corruption. There are a number of areas of the Hub’s activities in an effort to combat corruption, including the balance of responsibilities both horizontal and vertical, transparency in decision-making processes, and so on,” he said.
Kazakhstan has been an active contributor the Academy’s activities, that was set up on the initiative of the United Nations Department against Drugs and Crime, the European Bureau against Fraud and the Government of Austria based on the agreement on the establishment of the Academy as an international organization.
The Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Parliament deputies, government and civil society reps have addressed the session on behalf of Kazakhstan.
Author: Adlet Seilkhanov
