Ukraine and the OECD: Oleksiy Shevchuk Joins Discussion on Anti-Corruption Reforms and International Economic Integration
On November 4, 2026, a conference titled “The OECD Anti-Corruption Convention: An Important Milestone in Ukraine’s Path to European Integration,” dedicated to the completion of Ukraine’s accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.
The event was attended by Oleksiy Shevchuk, chairman of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, who represented the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (USPP).
Oleksiy Shevchuk is also a member of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Committee on Integrity and Anti-Corruption and the Expert Group on China. This involvement provides an opportunity to participate in international professional dialogue on anti-corruption policy, integrity standards, and the development of economic cooperation.
The OECD Anti-Corruption Convention — An Important Step Toward Ukraine’s International Integration
The conference brought together representatives of the Ukrainian parliament, the Office of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, the OECD, the European Union, Switzerland, and other international partners.
Among the participants and speakers at the event were OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kirill Budanov, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Kornienko, and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Vsevolod Chentsov.
During the conference, participants discussed the strategic importance of Ukraine’s accession to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, the necessary legislative changes, practical mechanisms for combating international bribery, and the economic benefits of aligning with the standards of the Organization’s member states.
Ukraine has already taken a number of important steps. In March 2026, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law on Accession to the Convention. At the same time, to complete the process, legislative amendments provided for in Bill No. 15056—which passed its first reading in May 2026—must be adopted.
Full accession to the Convention will entail fulfilling international obligations, participating in mutual evaluation and monitoring mechanisms, and Ukraine’s participation in the OECD Working Group on Bribery.
The Role of Business in Shaping Transparent Economic Policy
Involving representatives of Ukrainian business and professional associations in the international dialogue is particularly important in this process.
As a member of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Committee and the Expert Group on China, Oleksiy Shevchuk emphasizes the importance of strengthening cooperation between Ukrainian businesses and international institutions.
During the event, he conveyed words of gratitude from Anatoliy Kinakh, president of the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and from representatives of Ukrainian business, who—even amid a full-scale war—continue to develop international economic ties, attract partners, and represent Ukraine in global markets.
“Ukrainian business should not be a mere observer of reforms, but a full-fledged participant in them,” emphasized Oleksiy Shevchuk.
According to him, further deepening Ukraine’s cooperation with the OECD—particularly in the areas of anti-corruption policy, combating international bribery, and fostering a transparent and competitive environment—is of direct importance for building trust among international partners, protecting investments, and ensuring the country’s economic security.
International standards—the foundation of investor confidence
The conference underscored the importance of completing the legislative procedures necessary for Ukraine’s accession to the OECD Anti-Corruption Convention, within the broader context of European and international economic integration.
For Ukraine, this is not only a matter of fulfilling international obligations, but also an opportunity to strengthen the state’s institutional capacity, ensure transparent rules for doing business, and create additional conditions for attracting foreign investment.
The Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association supports the development of international cooperation, the implementation of integrity standards, and the involvement of the professional business community in the formulation of public policy.
It is precisely the systematic interaction between the government, the business community, professional associations, and international institutions that is a key prerequisite for shaping Ukraine’s new economic architecture.
