IMF course on Building Institutions to Fight Corruption delivered for the first time at the JVI

In line with the 2018 IMF Framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance, staff from the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) and the JVI delivered the first course on “Building Institutions to Fight Corruption” at the JVI from November 27 to December 1, 2023. 

The IMF Framework is designed to promote more systematic, effective, and candid engagement with IMF member countries regarding governance vulnerabilities, including corruption, that are judged to be macroeconomically critical. The course covered the fiscal governance pillar of the Framework and focused on the public financial management (PFM) cycle, including systems and processes in both revenue administration and the expenditure side. The lectures highlighted the red flags that can alert possible challenges and governance vulnerabilities in budget preparation, budget execution, asset and liability management and revenue administration. The course also covered the governance vulnerabilities to corruption in public corporations, public investment or infrastructure governance, procurement, and financial oversight. During the discussions on the mitigating measures, lecturers highlighted the importance of increasing clarity in the legal framework, transparency, and digitization. Presenters also discussed the enforcement of legal frameworks, the implementation of sanctions, and the importance of HR issues.

Besides the lectures and workshops provided by the IMF and JVI, the course benefited from guest lectures by the European Commission, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the World Bank, the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the Armenian Supreme Audit Institution, the Austrian Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption, and the Federal State Government of Lower Austria. 

The course attracted a very high number of applications. The 28 participants were from 13 different countries in Southeastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. In terms of their affiliation, they came from ministries of finance, central banks, and agencies responsible for corruption prevention, audit, or strategic planning. Participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine presented their recent reforms in transparency, digitalization, and strengthening legal frameworks and internal audit to fight corruption. 

In the course evaluation, participants gave top scores for overall satisfaction, relevance to their job, and recommending it to peers. The course was praised for experienced lecturers, comprehensive content, effective organization, valuable insights into governance vulnerabilities, and the incorporation of practical examples through guest speakers.

Yasemin Hurcan, Regional PFM Advisor in Southeast Europe, IMF, Fiscal Affairs Department

Nabila Akhazzan, Senior Economist, IMF, Fiscal Affairs Department

Markus Eller, Senior Economist, JVI