During the online discussion the importance and need for internal anti-corruption control was highlighted

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) in cooperation with the Latvian School of Public Administration (VAS) invites representatives from state institutions, local governments and state-owned enterprises, as well as private companies to participate in the discussion 4K on 8 December 2020. The aim of the event is to emphasize the role of internal control in preventing corruption risks both in terms of the current Covid-19 crisis and in everyday conditions, when companies participate in state and municipal tenders.

The pandemic has not only affected the economic growth of the country, but has also significantly impacted the business environment. Therefore, state and municipal public procurements, which ensure orders, are especially important to the functioning of companies. To ensure that state and municipal budgetary resources are invested in a fair and meaningful way, the circumstances of the current pandemic require responsibility and special precautions from both parties involved, namely, the public and private sector.

In order to emphasize the role of internal anti-corruption control systems in the activities of organizations, KNAB in cooperation with VAS, is organizing the online event 4K to mark upcoming International Anti-Corruption Day. The 4K stands for control ( kontrole), corruption ( korupcija), crises ( krīze), and competition ( konkurss), and these four elements comprise the central topic of the event: what is the role of internal control in the prevention of corruption risks, when companies take part in public competitions (tenders) under both Covid-19 crises and everyday conditions.

The event will be launched by the opening remarks of the Prime Minister Mr.Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš and the Director of KNAB Mr.Jēkabs Straume. Following the opening speeches Ms. France Chain, Senior Analyst of the OECD Anti-corruption Division will present the OECD study Corporate Anti-Corruption Compliance Drivers, Mechanisms, and Ideas for Change. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion led by Mr.Jānis Brazovskis, a member of the Management Board of Finance Latvia Association. High level representatives from the Ministry of Economics, Riga City Council, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Foreign Investor Council in Latvia have confirmed their participation in the discussion.

In order to apply for the online conference, KNAB invites interested parties to apply via e-mail by writing to prese@knab.gov.lv . The working language of the conference is Latvian and English, with simultaneous interpretation.

The event is organized and co-financed within the framework of ESF project No.3.4.2.0/15/I/002 “Professional development of public administration human resources in the field of prevention of corruption and reduction of the shadow economy”.

Agenda of the event