On 17-18 October 2024, the Action against economic crime organised a bespoke training for the staff of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, responsible for detecting and managing conflict of interests of public officials. This training covered international standards and national legislation, as well as practical examples and case studies to highlight effective procedures for managing conflicts of interest. Notably, it presented a platform for exchanges regarding everyday situations the Commission’s staff faces in identifying conflicts of interest and deciding how to deal with specific cases. Efficient management and response to conflict of interest risks and occurrences significantly increases the level of trust in the authorities and is a key component of the rule of law principle and other postulates of democratic values.

The training comes as the last phase of an initiative implemented by the Action. The Action initially reviewed and provided recommendations for improvement of the “Practical guide to the rules for ad-hoc detection and management of cases of conflict of interest for the members of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia”. These recommendations aim at enhancing the guide, including by addition of relevant information that further explains different modalities and possible instances of conflict of interest, as well as the appropriate conduct of high-level officials when they find themselves in such situations.  They were presented to the representatives of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption at a meeting on 1 July 2024.

This activity was organised by the Action against economic crime in North Macedonia, within the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint Programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye (Horizontal Facility III), co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.