From February 11 to 13 this year, a delegation of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Combating Corruption led by the Chairman Alik Shpekbayev paid a working visit to Washington, USA.
During the visit, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, bilateral meetings were held with high-level representatives of the State Department, the General Prosecutor's Office, as well as organizations such as the PRS Group, the World Bank, the World Justice Project (WJP) and the Open Government Initiative (OGP).
During the meetings, the Chairman of the Agency acquainted the interlocutors with the directions of political and economic reforms through the prism of anti-corruption. In particular, issues of investment policy and the vector of openness and transparency in public administration are highlighted. In this regard, special attention is paid to the activities of the National Council of Public Trust under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the important role of digitalization in eradicating everyday corruption.
During presentations of the Kazakhstani experience, the parties discussed recent legislative changes in the field of anti-corruption and measures aimed at scaling up the culture of integrity in government bodies and society.
A special positive response was received to the fact of creating an independent Anti-Corruption Agency, responsible for the formation and implementation of anti-corruption policies. Speakers noted the particular importance of shifting emphasis towards prevention.
PRS Group Executive Director Christopher Mackey praised the agency’s efforts in supporting and anti-corruption protection of business / investors, involving civil activists and volunteers in scaling up the culture of anti-corruption and creating anti-corruption values among the younger generation.
The Director of Cooperation of the World Justice Project, Ted Piccone, positively assessed new approaches to the Agency's activities and the ongoing anti-corruption measures in law enforcement and the judicial system.
Jorgan Andrews, head of the Department of State's International Drug Control and Law Enforcement Bureau, emphasized that success in countering corruption will depend on the involvement of all government agencies in the implementation of the anti-corruption strategy, coordinated by the Agency and increasing public confidence in the work.
During a meeting with the US Attorney General, issues of a joint investigation into corruption cases were discussed. In this vein, the American side expressed its readiness to strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan through an agreement on mutual legal assistance.
