In the new ranking by the International Anti-Corruption Organization Transparency International for the Corruption Perception Index in 2023, Uzbekistan secured the 121st position out of 180, rising by five positions compared to 2022. The country shares this rank with Angola, Mongolia, and Peru, Gazeta.uz reports.
On the 100-point index (where 0 indicates an extremely high level of corruption and 100 indicates an extremely low level), Uzbekistan scored 33 points (compared to 31 points the previous year).
In the organization's regional review, among the main measures that significantly contributed to Uzbekistan's improvement in its ranking in recent years, the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency is highlighted, along with the improvement of legislation and economic liberalization.
"It is important to note that rules and procedures were introduced to ensure compliance with these laws, and criminal charges were brought against numerous corrupt officials. The government has also implemented stricter internal control and audit tools in various ministries and local government bodies, including mechanisms to prevent bribery," note experts from Transparency International.
"Nevertheless, the authoritarian regime resists attempts to introduce principles of transparency and democracy, controlling legislative and public institutions and using the judicial system to persecute dissent. This fuels corruption and underscores the need for comprehensive reforms," the review states.
In the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, which includes 19 countries (including Uzbekistan), Georgia demonstrated the best result, ranking 49th with 53 points. Kazakhstan, with 39 points, positioned itself at 93rd place.
Belarus is at 98th place in the ranking with 37 points, Ukraine is at 104th with 36 points. Kyrgyzstan and Russia each scored 26 points, sharing the 141st position.
Tajikistan (20 points) and Turkmenistan (18 points) claimed the 162nd and 170th positions, respectively.
Denmark retained its position as the leader of the ranking this year with 90 points, followed by Finland (87) and New Zealand (85).
At the bottom of the list are Syria and Venezuela (both with 13 points), sharing the 177th position, and Somalia (180th place, 11 points).
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 30, 2024