Anti-Corruption Strategy
Skopje, 27 February 2025 – UNODC, in collaboration with the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption of North Macedonia and the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI), convened a Multi-Stakeholder Consultation to review implementation of the Strategy for Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest (2021-2025) and to discuss the roadmap for developing a new anti-corruption strategy.
A coordinated, multisectoral approach—aligned with the principles of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)—is crucial for the formulation and effective enforcement of national anti-corruption policies. Speaking at the opening, Ms. Tatjana Dimitrovska, President of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, emphasized that a national strategy is not just a normative document but a proactive approach to prevent corruption. Its effectiveness lies in both prevention and rapid response in the fight against corruption. She further noted that the development of the new strategy will be a collaborative process, engaging government institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international partners—all dedicated to enhancing integrity, transparency, and accountability in the country.
The Austrian Ambassador to North Macedonia, H.E. Martin Pammer, acknowledged that combating corruption is a collective effort and expressed his support for the consultation.
During the event, UNODC shared information on the support provided to advance UNCAC implementation at national and regional levels through the Regional Platform for Fast-Tracking UNCAC Implementation, in which North Macedonia actively participates. Participants also had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with best practices in the development of anti-corruption strategies outlined in a key UNODC tool “National Anti-Corruption Strategies: A Practical Guide for Development and Implementation”, which is currently being updated.
Representatives of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption shared information on the status of implementation of the current strategy and the challenges identified.
A panelist from the Center for Civil Communications, speaking in a later session, underscored the importance of integrating international commitments, including resolutions from the UNCAC Conference of the States Parties, into the new strategy. Another speaker from the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation highlighted the need for effective coordination and emphasized that monitoring should be a shared responsibility. Meanwhile, a representative from the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia called for greater involvement of Chambers of Commerce in the process.
The consultation was organized within the framework of the “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II)” project, implemented with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative and funded by the Austrian Development Agency. This project is part of the broader UNODC framework for engagement in the region, namely the UNODC Programme for South-Eastern Europe (2024- 2029), which recognizes civil society and the private sector as key partners to governments in addressing the region’s crime challenges and commits to further enhancing multi-stakeholder cooperation in this field.
