The Government of Georgia's recent decision to withdraw from the monitoring round of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (OECD/ACN) has sparked concerns and raised questions about the country's commitment to anti-corruption reforms. Georgia is the only member country that did not endorse the forthcoming monitoring round in 2023, unlike its regional counterparts such as Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia. To this day there has been no explanation or comments from the government on this topic. This development not only damages Georgia's reputation but also jeopardizes its aspirations for European Union integration.
The OECD/ACN monitoring is a crucial mechanism for assessing the anti-corruption environment in member countries. It aims to identify challenges, provide recommendations, and ensure the implementation of international standards and best practices in overcoming corruption. Since 2003, the monitoring has been conducted (with Georgia’s participation) within the framework of the Istanbul Action Plan (IAP) peer review program, which includes continuous evaluation of the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and other relevant measures.
The recently endorsed OECD/ACN Fifth Round Monitoring Assessment Framework focuses on key areas of anti-corruption efforts, including:
- development and implementation of the National Anti-corruption Policy,
- enforcement of corruption laws,
- functioning of judiciary and prosecution systems, and
- effectiveness of high-level corruption investigations.
This round's assessment is particularly important for Georgia as it directly impacts the work of the newly established Anti-corruption Bureau, responsible for developing the National Anti-corruption Strategy.
By opting out of the monitoring process, the Georgian government not only undermines its own reputation but it also raises doubts about its commitment to anti-corruption reforms. Suspending anti-corruption initiatives contradicts Georgia's stated goal of European Union integration, as anti-corruption reforms are an essential component of the Georgia-EU Association Agreement. Furthermore, the OECD/ACN monitoring process is supported by the European Union, and Georgia's withdrawal may have implications for its candidacy status.
Various organisations have expressed concern over Georgia's withdrawal from the monitoring process. Most recently, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi also called on the Georgian government to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the OECD anti-corruption network.
How does this decision affect CSOs?
Georgia's decision to withdraw from the OECD/ACN monitoring process has raised concerns among civil society organisations (CSOs) and casts doubts about the country's dedication to anti-corruption reforms. It signifies the elimination of a crucial multi-stakeholder channel for cooperation between civil society, government and other stakeholders. The absence of this monitoring process deprives civil society of an effective platform to track the level of corruption using reliable analyses and data that were previously produced by the OECD in its capacity as an impartial observer.
This strategy can be seen as a warning that government will become even less transparent in their actions. This will make it challenging for CSOs working on the ground to follow pertinent information about ongoing processes, interact with authorities, promote transparency, and collaborate to fight corruption and advance good governance. Participation in the monitoring process is crucial not only for improving Georgia's anti-corruption environment but also for maintaining its reputation and progressing toward EU integration. That is why the civil society sector strongly called on the government to reconsider its stance and actively cooperate with the OECD/ACN to uphold its commitment to fighting corruption effectively.
Cover image by wirestock on freepik