The Third General Assembly of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia was held on 19 December, 2018, within the framework of an anti-corruption event dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day.
President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Coordinator of Secretariat of the Coalition Karen Zadoyan presented the report on the activities of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia for the period of 21.07.2017-31.10.2018. After the discussions the report was adopted. Further, Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Ms Mariam zadoyan and Mr. Marat Atovmyan, the representatives of the Coalition presented the Coalition’s Strategy for 2019-2023, which also was confirmed after the discussions. The Strategy reflects the strategic goals, objectives and action plan of the Coalition. The 3 main goals are:
- Increase the effectiveness of public monitoring of the government anti-corruption reforms by civil society organizations (hereinafter CSOs).
- Promote the development and implementation of effective policies and mechanisms for the elimination of corruption; promote the development of integrity, and the accountable, and professional governance system.
- Promote to the formation and rooting of public perception of corruption as a threat for the society; formation of the attitude of intolerance and resistance towards corruption; formation of demand for honest management among the public and raising public awareness through reopening and operation of the anti-corruption centers based on anti-corruption education, prevention of corruption and the inevitability of punishment.
The main issues here are:
- To contribute to the introduction of independent universal anti-corruption professional body in Armenia based on the best international practices;
- To contribute to the protection of the whistleblowers’ rights in the Republic of Armenia and the launch of the unified System of Online Whistleblowing Platform;
- Further development of the anonymous electronic platform for reporting bizprotect.am;
- To contribute to the implementation of the reforms of the institute of illicit enrichment and conducting monitoring of cases on illicit enrichment;
- To contribute to the introduction of the register of beneficial owners in Armenia based on the best international evidence based practices;
- To contribute to the introduction of the Institute for the Restoration of Stolen Assets in Armenia and capacity building of this sector;
- Promote implementation of Anti-Corruption Compliance Programs in Armenian Companies.
Notably, the last issue was implemented by the proposal of the “Armenia: Promoting Anti-Corruption Conduct and Reforms” Project which is implemented by the “Center for International Private Enterprise” (CIPE), the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO (ALA), the “Corporate Governance Center” (CGC), and the Yerevan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (YerCCI).
The elections of the Governing Board of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia took place during the conference as well. The number of members of the Coalition’s Governing Board was approved first. Further, the election of the new members of the Governing Board was held. Below is the list of the new composition of the Governing Board:
- “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO
- “International Center for Human Development” Public Organization,
- “Audio-Visual Journalists Association” NGO
- “Territorial Development and Research Center” NGO
- “Armenian Association of Young Doctors” NGO
- “Small and Medium Business Fund”
- “Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises”
- “Association of Accountants of SME of Armenia ” NGO
- “Astghatsolk” NGO for Sustainable Development Initiatives
- “Kantegh” Human Rights NGO in Gyumri
- “Union of Communities of Armenia”
- “Center of Economic Rights” NGO
- “Journalists for Human Rights” NGO
This material has been prepared in the scope of the “Armenia: Promoting Anti-Corruption Conduct and Reforms” Project implemented by the “Center for International Private Enterprise”, the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO, the “Corporate Governance Center” NGO and the “Yerevan Chamber of Commerce and Industry” with financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy. The project is implemented as a co-financing to the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” action implemented with the financial support of the European Union by a Consortium comprising the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO, the “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” NGO, the “International Center for Human Development” NGO, the “SME Cooperation Association” NGO, the Union of Communities of Armenia, as well as “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic). The contents of this material are the sole responsibility of the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the National Endowment for Democracy and the European Union.
