As prepared.
Thank you, Director Kryvonos, for hosting me today.
On behalf of the United States, I am honored to join you all today to celebrate the momentous milestone of NABU’s 10th anniversary. The United States is proud of to have helped you establish NABU and of our continued support as you work to fight corruption. Your mission is more critical than ever, and I applaud Ukraine’s commitment to advancing anti-corruption efforts, even amid Russia’s war of aggression. At this critical moment, NABU is essential to securing Ukraine’s prosperous, Euro-Atlantic future.
A stronger and more resilient Ukraine that adheres to the rule of law, prioritizes accountability and transparency, and integrates with the European Union cannot succeed without your unwavering commitment to holding corrupt actors accountable. Every single person in this room makes this possible.
First and foremost, I want to personally thank you all for the long hours, dedication, and hard work that made NABU the success it is today. I know you face resource challenges; your workload is immense and continues to grow each day. Yet despite these challenges, from detectives to administrative staff, your commitment to your mission has never wavered, overcome roadblocks, and driven your triumphs. Despite Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, from 2022 to 2023, conviction rates for corruption-related crimes increased by 50 percent. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and you should be proud of all that you have achieved to safeguard Ukraine’s future.
Second, the United States recognizes the path forward requires increased capacity and institutional independence, and we are committed to helping Ukraine implement needed reforms to make that a reality. Your ability to carry out investigations free from political interference while increasing cooperation among Ukraine’s institutions is critical — not only to securing mission success, but also to ensuring donor and public trust. The United States appreciates your close collaboration to strengthen the capacity of NABU over the past decade. We look forward to continuing to invest in NABU’s development as an independent, responsive, and accountable institution for all Ukrainians.
Third, your work is critical to Ukraine’s future prosperity. As President Zelenskyy has highlighted, Ukraine has two victories to achieve: the war against Russia’s full-scale invasion and the battle to conquer corruption and secure Ukraine’s fully integrated future with Europe. Ukrainian citizens understand reducing corruption is crucial for winning this war, winning the peace that follows, and building back stronger than before.
Anti-corruption protects the government from corrupt cronies seeking to squander public resources. It bolsters government accountability to the people. And it attracts private investors, maintains donor confidence, and strengthens Ukraine’s economy. NABU’s work to deliver justice plays a vital role in achieving these goals. In the first half of 2024 alone, anti-corruption investigations saved over $89 million in state revenue. Robust anti-corruption mechanisms like the institution you serve are essential to Ukraine’s recovery and achieving a secure and prosperous future.
In closing, I would like to congratulate you once again on your progress as an institution over this past decade. While the road ahead is daunting; keep up the fight and know you are not alone. The United States stands beside you. Our commitment to provide the needed training, equipment, and resources to support the success of NABU and anticorruption efforts in Ukraine is unwavering. We strongly believe you have one of the most important jobs in Ukraine.
Thank you, for the chance to mark this milestone with you in person as we honor NABU’s important role to address corruption and deliver justice for Ukrainians. Slava Ukraini!
Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
Kyiv, Ukraine
October 18, 2024
Sources: State.gov, Ukraine.bigny.com
American – Ukrainian News – USA and Ukraine immigration
on Ukraine.BigNY.com
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