The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), organized the Regional Conference titled “Southeast Europe Together Against Corruption: Developing Regional Resilience”. The conference took place in Sarajevo, on February 20th, 2024, to mark the implementation of the 3-year Regional Programme “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption” (SEE-TAC).

This conference served as a momentous occasion to celebrate the collective achievements and efforts in combating corruption in Southeast Europe. It provides a platform for reflection on accomplishments, sharing valuable insights, and strategizing for future sustainable anti-corruption activities. Esteemed experts will leverage this opportunity to present their findings and offer insightful recommendations for the next steps in the evolution of the Programme.

The conference has gathered more than 60 participants, including heads of diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia, Romania, government officials from the SEE region and Ukraine, civil society representatives, private sector and media representatives, and other project stakeholders.

Addressing the participants the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in BiH, H.E. Dr. Ulrike Hartmann underlined: “We are all aware that success doesn’t come overnight. Also, aware that political will is often lacking to adopt and implement the necessary legislation. But only common and constant efforts will bring the desired results –a society with less corruption, but also tangible progress in the EU integration, which is our common goal”.

Referring to new phase of this Programme, Chief of the Civil Society Unit of UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Ms. Mirella Dummar Frahi said: “Recognizing that corruption and organized crime go hand in hand, the new Programme phase is aiming to break silos and start looking into the nexus between corruption and organized crime integrating a component on UNTOC in its implementation”.

Chairperson of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Mr. Dražen Jelenić reconfirmed “RAI commitment to continue contributing with its strong network of public stakeholders to the enhancing of the advocacy efforts and the communication channels for building the regional cooperation in boosting the anti-corruption efforts in the context of the EU- integration process”.

RAI has become the primary regional anti-corruption hub in Southeast Europe over the past two decades. The RAI Secretariat has built a common regional platform for dialogue among governments and civil society, efficiently addressing its activities through tailored-made actions, peer-to-peer learning, exchange of knowledge, modern communication tools, and sharing good practices in a multidisciplinary setting.

More information:
Conference Agenda