**Ukraine Makes Substantial Progress in Anti-Corruption Efforts, OECD Chief Says**
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the country has made significant strides in fighting corruption, according to Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). During a presentation in Kyiv on May 5, Cormann praised Ukraine’s efforts to combat corruption, saying that the government approaches these tasks “publicly and openly” despite the aggressive war.
**A Major Concern for Ukrainians**
Corruption has been a major problem in Ukraine, consistently ranked as the second biggest issue after Russian aggression. According to research, nearly 80% of citizens identify corruption as a major concern. To tackle this issue, Ukraine created the High Anti-Corruption Court, implemented transparent procurement, and seized assets from corrupt officials, leading to billions recovered and numerous convictions.
**Progress Towards OECD Standards**
Cormann noted that Ukraine has already reached approximately 73% of the OECD average in terms of integrity achievements and other indicators. He expressed hope that anti-corruption efforts would continue, saying that overall, Ukraine has reduced its corruption risks and is conducting further training and retraining of its specialists.
**Areas Requiring Additional Attention**
While praising Ukraine’s progress, Cormann also highlighted several areas requiring additional attention. These include strengthening the state audit system and corruption risk management, launching a lobbying registry as quickly as possible with quality access provided, and including small and medium-sized businesses in anti-corruption efforts.
**Ukraine’s Plans to Join OECD**
During his visit, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Ukraine’s plans to apply for OECD membership in early 2026. Shmyhal also requested the organization’s assistance in finding ways to move Ukraine from risk group 7 to group 6, which would be significant for investments and cooperation with international financial organizations.
**Conclusion**
Ukraine’s progress in anti-corruption efforts is a notable achievement, especially considering the ongoing war. While there are areas requiring additional attention, Cormann’s praise for Ukraine’s efforts is well-deserved. As Ukraine continues to work towards OECD membership, it will be interesting to see how these efforts translate into tangible results.
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