Fighting corruption - at the center of the attention of OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum meeting in Prague
Preventing and combating corruption through innovation, transparency and digitalization are the main topics of the concluding meeting of the 28th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF), which is organized on the 10-11 September 2020, in Prague.
During the two-day event, senior government officials and experts from academia, NGOs, international organizations and the private sector of the 57 OSCE participating States are discussing the role of digital technologies, good governance and the rule of law in preventing and combating corruption.
Particular attention is given also to the efforts to counter this phenomenon in the field of environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources.
Fighting corruption is also one of the key priorities for Lithuania. According to the latest Corruption perception Index (2019), prepared by Transparency international, Lithuania is placed as high as 35th (among 198 countries), and among 57 OSCE participating States it is 20th!
We need develop a culture of zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption shrinks tax revenue, distorts markets, hampers trade and investment and deepens inequalities. Every time illegal private gain wins out against the public good, it weakens our social fabric. Therefore, participants of the 28th EEF agreed to strengthen the OSCE’s tools and commitments at the Ministerial Council in December in Tirana, in order to be able to fight this scourge more effectively. The fight against corruption is one of Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship key priorities.
The OSCE’s Group of Friends of Environment, LT is among them, has held a side event dedicated to the Charter of Paris and Environmental security challenges. The 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris is a reminder to participating States of the essential place of environmental security within OSCE.
