37^th Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group (SG) Meeting took place on April 7-8, 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Interior and organized by the RAI Secretariat. The meeting was opened by Ms. Tanya Raycheva, Deputy Minister of Interior of Bulgaria and Ms. Laura Stefan, RAI Chairperson.

Ms. Raycheva highlighted that the communication, dialogue and cooperation in the region are key to launching beneficial initiatives at bilateral and multilateral level and to coordinate common anti-corruption activities in Southeastern Europe. She particularly pointed out the role of RAI as a generator of innovative ideas, raising the introduction and use of new tools to prevent and fight corruption such as the Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations.

RAI Steering Group is the decision-making body of the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative, composed of representatives of its member countries. The objective of the 37th RAI Steering Group Meeting was to plan the upcoming activities and deliberate on the next RAI planning cycle. A particular focus was given to the activities and events to be held in 2022, especially the endeavors related to the International Treaty for Exchange of Data for Verification of Asset Declaration.

At the session dedicated to partnerships, it was talked about the efforts for strengthening cooperation with RAI’s long-standing partners, as well as about expanding cooperation and forging new partnerships. During the session, the SG had an opportunity to exchange views with the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) on behalf of SELDI Network, Advice on Individual Rights in Europe (AIRE) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Civil Society Unit.

Related documents:

Agenda
Summary and Conclusions