Visit from Kosovo to advance corruption-reporting mechanism

July 3, 2024

REFERENCES TO KOSOVO SHALL BE UNDERSTOOD TO BE IN THE CONTEXT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1244 (1999).

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) hosted a visit, from the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (APC) of Kosovo and UNDP Kosovo on 2-3 July 2024. The visit aimed to finalize the establishment of Kosovo’s digital corruption reporting mechanism by benchmarking and exchanging good practices on the ROK’s ‘Clean Portal system’.

The delegation began the visit with an orientation at USPC, where the Centre’s efforts to facilitate innovative development cooperation for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced. Anne Juepner, Director of USPC, commended the delegation’s commitment to tackle anti-corruption, and the achievements of the previous SDG Partnership on ‘Corruption Risk Assessment (for corruption proofing in legislation)’ and the ongoing partnership on the ‘Clean Portal’.

a group of people preparing food in a kitchen

The highlight was a meeting with the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea (ACRC) whose primary focus was to exchange on the anti-corruption reporting systems of each country. Won-tae Hong, Deputy Director of the Inspection Planning Division of ACRC, highlighted the Clean Portal’s innovative features that facilitate citizen reporting and promote efficient anti-corruption efforts. Yll Buleshkaj, Director of the APC, presented on Kosovo’s progress and challenges in developing the ‘Portal for Kosovo Free Corruption’, the new corruption reporting platform which contain features such as multiple language options and a 24/7 automated voice message system that facilitate reporting for citizens.

Participants discussed the budget requirements for the operation and maintenance of the portals as well as the analysis of data drawn from the portal for developing anti-corruption policies. The discussion also covered the importance of a simple and user-friendly system to ensure sustainability, ease of maintenance and continuous improvement.

Cha-cheol Jang, Director of Inspection Planning Division of ACRC, congratulated the team on nearing the completion of their system, stressing the importance of continuous maintenance and reform, and expressed hope for the next opportunity to discuss comprehensive anti-corruption policies from each country.

The study visit concluded with a comprehensive action plan presentation by the delegation, which included aspirations for APC staff training, upgrading the server room, enhancing public accessibility, and implementing a 24/7 automated message system for reporting, with the goal of having the new platform operational by the end of the year.

Marta Gazideda, Governance and Peacebuilding Portfolio Manager and Deputy Programme Coordinator of UNDP Kosovo, expressed hope that the data and evidence-based insights collected from the new portal would be used to inform and improve anti-corruption policies. Mr. Buleshkaj and Youngchan Kim, Policy Specialist and Governance and Gender Team Lead of USPC agreed that while the new portal in Kosovo is not a cure-for-all solution, it will complement existing anti-corruption efforts by establishing secure and easy reporting channels for citizens, promoting awareness, and holding corrupt officials accountable.

This visit supported Kosovo to yield valuable knowledge and insights to refine Kosovo's digital corruption reporting system and ultimately contribute to corruption-free Kosovo.

* UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) shares Korea’s tested-and-proven policy tools with other countries through SDG Partnerships. SDG Partnerships provide a combination of support, including partnership development with Korean institutions, seed funding, technical assistance, and policy advisory services. It utilizes UNDP’s global network of country offices and the policy expertise and know-how of partner organizations.