Uzbek, Latvian Officials Unite in Riga to Tackle Corruption

Riga hosted an international summer school on compliance and anti-corruption policy, bringing together 20 government officials from Uzbekistan and Latvia in a joint effort to strengthen public sector integrity and good governance.

Organized by Transparency International Latvia (DELNA), the program is part of the broader initiative “Enhancing Public Administration in Uzbekistan - Inclusive Corruption Prevention”, supported by the EU, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, Latvia’s Central Finance and Contracting Agency, and Regional Dialogue, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Participants received hands-on training in key areas including public service ethics, conflict of interest prevention, accountability, compliance standards, and management of state-owned assets. The sessions introduced European tools and models aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency in governance.

A highlight of the program was a field visit to Liepāja, where delegates explored the implementation of anti-corruption strategies in the local special economic zone, customs authorities, and the municipality of South Kurzeme.

The program concluded in Riga with a visit to Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). Discussions centered on internal audit mechanisms, anti-corruption law enforcement, and included an official meeting with Jūrmala city officials.

Extending their mission to the Baltic region, the Uzbek delegation also visited Vilnius, Lithuania, where on July 11, Uzbekistan’s Anti-Corruption Agency and Lithuania’s Special Investigation Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement paves the way for joint anti-corruption initiatives, professional exchanges, and the application of leading European practices in public administration reform.