Kyiv, 9 March 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine will support the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine in developing effective mechanisms to enhance transparency and accountability in the reconstruction process. The agreement was reached between  the leadership of UNDP and the ministry during a meeting held on 7 March. 

UNDP will support the ministry's work in: conducting an assessment of corruption risks in existing reconstruction processes; conducting training sessions on the use of transparent tools and mechanisms for the ministry's employees and its state-owned enterprises, as well as for local self-government bodies; increasing transparency and accountability during the local-level reconstruction process; researching the impact of corruption on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, said: "The support of UNDP in assessing corruption risks both at the central and local levels is an important step in the reconstruction and development of our country. We hope that the joint work with UNDP will help ensure transparency and effectiveness of the reconstruction processes and the use of funds allocated for these purposes."

Anti-corruption standards are already being implemented in the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, as well as in the plans for using internationally recognized procurement procedures. The agency is using mechanisms of the World Bank and the United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD).

Transparency and effectiveness of the reconstruction processes and the use of allocated funds are critical conditions for the successful implementation of the country's restoration strategy and for attracting foreign investors.

Christophoros Politis, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine, said that UNDP is ready to continue cooperation with the Government of Ukraine in enhancing transparency, accountability, strengthening institutions and ensuring sustainable development of the country, despite the unprecedented challenges caused by war. "The war should not stop the development and achievements Ukraine made before 2022. We believe that the implementation of effective mechanisms and transparent reconstruction processes, as an element of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine, will be an important step towards recovery, prosperity and stability."

The development of effective mechanisms for the prevention of corruption, which is planned as part of cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, is a crucial step to achieving Task 16.5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls on states to "significantly reduce corruption and bribery in in all their forms".

Minimizing corruption risks in the post-conflict construction and reconstruction sectors is particularly important, as these sectors are critical to the country's economic and social development.

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org