Oleksiy Shevchuk criticized the statements made by the head of the NACP regarding the growth of lobbying: “Creating a registry does not mean creating a profession.”
Oleksiy Shevchuk, chairman of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, criticized public statements made by Viktor Pavlushchik, head of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, regarding his role in the development of lobbying in Ukraine. According to Shevchuk, the administration of the state Transparency Register should not be equated with the development of the profession, its standards, and its institutions.
The head of the UNLA made this statement in a video address while commenting on Pavlushyk’s interview with RBC-Ukraine.
“I really dislike it when someone takes credit for achievements that aren’t theirs. To me, it’s important that a person be involved in producing actual results,” emphasized Oleksiy Shevchuk.
According to him, the development of civilized lobbying in Ukraine is driven primarily by professional associations and specialists who are working to shape the market, build institutions, and implement professional standards.
What the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association Has Done
Oleksiy Shevchuk noted that he has been heading the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association for over a year. During this time, the UNLA team has been working to establish a professional infrastructure for lobbying in Ukraine.
Among the key areas of focus, he cited the development of professional standards, the creation of training programs, the establishment of a Higher School of Lobbying, the formation of representative offices in Ukraine and Europe, the development of international cooperation, as well as efforts related to professional ethics, self-regulation, and the certification of specialists.
The association places special emphasis on improving legislation and developing a fully-fledged market for lobbying services. In addition, at the initiative of the professional community, September 16 was designated as Ukrainian Lobbyist Day.
According to Shevchuk, it is precisely these practical steps that shape the profession and create the conditions for its further development.
The Roles of the Regulator and the Professional Community
The head of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption emphasized that the agency performs an important government function in the area of lobbying; in particular, it ensures the operation of the Transparency Registry and exercises the oversight and regulatory powers provided for by law.
At the same time, according to him, these tasks are not synonymous with the immediate development of the professional environment.
“Developing the profession of lobbying and administering the Transparency Registry are, excuse me, two different things,” Shevchuk said.
He also raised questions about the specific outcomes of the NACP’s involvement in the development of the profession: the development of standards and educational programs, the improvement of legislation, the regulation of interactions between lobbyists and local council members, and other practical initiatives.
According to the head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, it is precisely these results that should be used to assess any institution’s contribution to the development of the profession.
UNLA Calls for a Clarification of Powers
Oleksiy Shevchuk emphasized that the professional community does not claim to have the authority of a government regulator, but expects its role in shaping the lobbying services market to be respected.
He also stated that he condemns the use of the achievements of self-regulatory professional associations for personal publicity by individuals who did not directly participate in this work.
According to Shevchuk, public statements about the decisive role in the development of lobbying should be based on concrete results, not merely on the fulfillment of government regulatory functions.
At the same time, the head of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine emphasized the association’s readiness to engage in a professional dialogue with the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP), to cooperate on improving legislation, and to work together on the development of the industry.
“The government regulator should not take the place of the professional community. We have different functions, different tasks, and different responsibilities,” he concluded.
According to the head of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, the further development of Ukrainian lobbying requires a clear distinction between government regulation and professional self-development, as well as recognition of the tangible contributions made by those who are systematically working to build the industry.
