In Atyrau, on the eve of the International Anti-Corruption Day, which is celebrated annually on 9 December, a practical forum, "Openness, Legality, Integrity", was held. The event brought together representatives of state bodies, the quasi-public sector, business and civil society to discuss current issues of combating corruption and building a culture of integrity in the region.
The forum, which was attended by the region's akim Serik Shapkenov and the head of the department of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs for the Atyrau Region Nurlan Yerkebayev, was structured into three thematic blocks.
The plenary session was devoted to the key directions of anti-corruption policy. Participants discussed issues of integrity in the civil service, legal statistics, crime prevention and academic honesty in the education system. Representatives of relevant departments presented analytical data, mechanisms for reducing corruption risks and approaches to increasing transparency in the work of state bodies.
The second block provided a platform for sharing experience from the corporate sector. Compliance officers from large enterprises and organisations shared their practices for implementing corporate integrity standards and discussed methods for improving the effectiveness of internal control.
The open microphone format in the third block allowed participants to ask questions, exchange suggestions and discuss current aspects of anti-corruption work in the region. Active participants who contributed to promoting the principles of integrity received letters of thanks.
Speaking at the forum, Serik Shapkenov presented specific data on the work in the region. This year, almost 80% of local executive bodies conducted an analysis of internal corruption risks and, based on its results, adopted around 100 specific measures. The head of the region noted the ongoing work to improve the transparency of public services and emphasised the role of digital solutions being introduced into the processes of public procurement and permit procedures.
"Digital solutions being introduced into the processes of public procurement and permit procedures play an important role in the fight against corruption," said Serik Shapkenov.
The region's akim also stressed the need to build a culture of integrity among young people, strengthen the accountability of civil servants and ensure a prompt response to citizens' appeals.
"Our task is not only to identify violations but, above all, to prevent them. Today's forum creates a platform for an open dialogue between state bodies and society," noted the head of the region.
The outcome of the event was the signing of a plan to improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the Atyrau region. The document provides for a set of measures to further strengthen transparency and enhance prevention.
Holding events of this kind confirms the region's commitment to systematic work in the field of combating corruption through the involvement of all interested parties — from state structures to representatives of civil society.
