OSCE Centre trains Kazakh state officials to combat corruption
ASTANA, 27 June 2008 - Kazakhstan's financial police learned about international best practices and methods for investigating corruption cases at a three-day training course that ended today in Astana.
Thirty anti-corruption specialists from all regions of the country participated in the training course, which was jointly organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Kazakhstani Anti-Corruption Agency (Financial Police). Two experts from the Central Agency for Corruption Prevention of France presented case studies on how corruption is being fought in France.
"Combating corruption is instrumental for stability, democratic reforms and economic progress. It is a long process which needs a strong political commitment," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre. "Kazakhstan's ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption in 2008 was one important step for harmonizing national regulations with international standards. The upcoming chairmanship to the OSCE in 2010 is another opportunity for Kazakhstan to contribute to further progress on this issue in the OSCE area."
The training modules were developed jointly by French and Kazakhstani experts to correspond to the needs of the Financial Police and increase the competencies of its staff. Lecture topics included international legal instruments, ethics and France's anti-corruption strategy and methodology. Practical exercises focused on real cases - both successful and less successful - of economic crimes investigation in Kazakhstan.
"The fight against corruption is global," said Tleukhan Ramazan, Head of the Academy of the Financial Police. "The training course that was conducted during these three days proved to be both relevant and timely and provided us with practical knowledge that we can take home with us. We hope for continued co-operation with the Centre in preparing similar trainings in the future."
The project forms an important part of the Centre's work to promote good governance in Kazakhstan. It corresponds to the commitment of OSCE participating States to develop, implement and enforce financial legislation and regulations on combating corruption and money laundering and criminalizing the financing of terrorism.