Regional Conference: Private Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans
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Regional Conference: Private Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans
September 30 - October 1
(Jahorina, October 1st) – The first event within the Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II) programme, a regional conference on “Private Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans” took place from September 30 to October 1 on Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference gathered over 50 participants from relevant national anti-corruption agencies and bodies, ministries, civil society, and the private sector in the Western Balkans.
The event was opened by H.E. Mr. Georg Diwald, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Drazen Jelenic (Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Chairperson), Mr. Constantine Palicarsky (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Adviser), and Ms. Damirka Mioc from the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption of BiH.
H.E. Mr. Diwald stressed the importance of the regional conference and presented the work of the Austrian Embassy in BiH and its dedication to anti-corruption mechanisms while highlighting the role of the Austrian Development Agency, the SEE-TAC II donor, and the issues the private sector faces.
Mr. Palicarsky referred to UNCAC and private sector links while Mr. Jelenic emphasised that integrity within the private sector significantly contributes to long-term profitability and the need to empower the private sector to address pressing societal challenges. He highlighted the SEE-TAC II program, which is dedicated to combating corruption in the Western Balkans and aims to enhance the capacities of governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Ms. Mioc talked about the challenges in the public sector and various initiatives the governments in the region can take to ensure proper anti-corruption measures, as well as the recently adopted Anti-Corruption Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The sessions focused on anti-corruption strategies in the region, the private sector integrity, implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) with regard to the private sector, the basics of business integrity, ISO standards related to business integrity, and how to lead in a way that leads to positive change. Expert discussions were led by Sandra Damijan, Lecturer at the School of Economics and Business at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The two-day event concluded with a group discussion on cross-cutting themes related to building integrity.
The SEE-TAC II project is implemented by RAI in partnership with UNODC and funded by the Austrian Development Agency.