OSCE-supported Ombudspersons Forum in Tashkent served as a platform to strengthen interregional co-operation and business integrity

The 1st International Forum of Business Ombudspersons “Strengthening Interregional Cooperation and Integrity in Business Sphere” was held in Tashkent on December 14, 2021. The Forum was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan jointly with the Commissioner under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of business entities (Business Ombudsman).

OSCE participating states have endorsed a number of commitments in promoting economic development and enhancing good governance. Guided by the universally recognized values and principles, the organization has acknowledged the importance to involve the private sector into enhancing good governance. Such engagement of the business community is vital to promote business integrity; develop a fair business environment; and fight against corruption effectively.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Pierre von Arx said in the opening remarks: “For a number years the OSCE has been an active supporter of good governance initiatives and anti-corruption programmes in Uzbekistan. In particular, the Office is implementing a project on promoting business integrity standards. Within this project, we have been successfully supporting activities on raising awareness on business integrity and good corporate governance; providing capacity-building and best international expertise; and facilitating dialogue between the government and the business.

The forum was attended by business ombudspersons from Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, altogether more than 120 participants, including 96 men and 24 women, representing private sector and state bodies.

The main topic of the forum was the strengthening of interregional co-operation and business integrity, which is especially relevant in the context of a dynamically changing external environment and globalization of the world economy.

Co-operation in the field of legislation, partnership in the field of protecting the rights and legitimate interests of business entities, support for the development of entrepreneurship were other issues discussed at the forum.

The event was organized with the support of Turkey and the US as part of the extra-budgetary project “Support Uzbekistan in implementing and promoting business integrity standards”.