The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Working Group has invited Ukraine to join the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention (the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions) and offers Ukraine full membership in the group. The Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak announced this on Telegram, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
"This is a powerful step towards integration into the OECD and recognition of our reforms!" he said.
Yermak noted that in 2022 Ukraine sent a request to the OECD, in 2023 it received the status of a "participant" in the Working Group, which allowed it to participate in meetings and prepare for the Convention, in 2023-2024 Ukraine introduced changes to legislation on the criminalization of bribery, company liability, whistleblower protection, and the OECD noted the country's progress.
According to him, joining opens the door to international corruption investigations, strengthens Ukraine's reputation and promotes investment.
"We are preparing to apply for OECD membership in 2026 by strengthening transparency and the rule of law. This is our way to democratic standards!" emphasized the Head of the Office.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in October 2022, then Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the OECD recognized Ukraine as a potential member of the organization. He noted at the time that the OECD is the so-called "club of successful countries", which accounts for more than 62% of world GDP, and Ukraine's acceptance into the circle of developed countries is primarily an important marker of Ukraine's readiness to join the EU and a signal to foreign companies that Ukraine is a promising place for investment and business development.
In July 2022, in Lugano (Switzerland), Shmyhal handed over Ukraine's application for membership in the organization to OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann on behalf of the state.
In June 2025, Shmyhal stated that the experience of everyday corruption of Ukrainians in recent years has decreased from 70% to 15%.
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