OSCE events address anti-corruption practices in Turkmenistan
ASHGABAT, 20 November 2015 – An OSCE-organized roundtable discussion on the development of national anti-corruption system in Turkmenistan concluded in Ashgabat today.
Representatives of Turkmenistan’s financial institutions, law enforcement and regulatory bodies, including members of Turkmenistan’s inter-agency working commission on combating the legalization of proceeds obtained by illegal means and the financing of terrorism, discussed anti-corruption criminal measures and the use of the anti-money laundering system in combating corruption.
The roundtable discussion was preceded by a two-day seminar on mechanisms to prevent and combat corruption. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the seminar to enhance the capacity of relevant officials to develop national mechanisms while taking into account international standards and the best practices of OSCE participating States in tackling the issue.
Addressing the participants, Ambassador Ivo Petrov, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat referred to the 2014 OSCE Ministerial Council decision on preventing corruption. It recommended further developing and implementing preventive anti-corruption legislation and policies, and establishing and promoting practical measures and tools “to address all forms and levels of corruption for both the private and the public sectors, and for other stakeholders.”
“This seminar is part of the OSCE Centre’s contribution to the efforts of Turkmenistan’s government in enhancing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the country’s public administration system,” added Petrov.
An international expert from ItalyGiuseppe Lombardo presented seminar participants with the UN Convention on Anti-Corruption, as well as examples of different types of corruption as well as best practices to prevent and combat this phenomenon. He elaborated on the use of the anti-money laundering toolbox to prevent and fight corruption and discussed with participants a case study on preventative practices.
Both activities were held at the Good Governance Resource Centre established last year in the premises of the Finance Ministry of Turkmenistan with the OSCE Centre’s support.