New York, New York
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR ISOBEL COLEMAN: Good afternoon everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today. We know what an incredibly busy time this is so we appreciate you prioritizing this event. Thank you, Ambassador [John] Herbst too for co-hosting this event with us. And a special welcome to our distinguished panelists.
Earlier this year, in one of his nightly video addresses to the Ukrainian people, President Zelenskyy declared that, for the government, “there will be no return to what used to be in the past – to the way various people close to state institutions or those who spent their entire lives chasing a chair.” No more.
He is right: Ukraine stands at a crossroads; it cannot return to the past. And the United States stands in unwavering support of the Ukrainian people in their fight to counter corruption; strengthen institutions; and accelerate integration with Europe.
Under President Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine is making noticeable and notable progress. Even amidst this war, in the midst of the fight to preserve their independence, the government of Ukraine is rolling out ambitious policies to strengthen integrity in public institutions, to carry out comprehensive judicial reform, and restore a transparent system of electronic asset declarations. And we know this is essential to Ukraine’s ability to rebuild and recover, preserve its sovereignty, attract foreign investment, and critically sustain international support.
The key, however, is accelerating and locking in this progress, politically and institutionally, to ensure irreversible progress on anti-corruption.
Across the border, Moldovan President Maia Sandu is charging forth with an ambitious anti-corruption agenda of her own. President Sandu recently reflected on Moldova’s 30-year position as a buffer between Russia and Western Europe, saying, “For us, this meant poverty, corruption, bad governance, emigration. We want to be part of the democratic world."
Since taking office, President Sandu has championed comprehensive reforms – despite challenges from pro-Russian oligarchs. With USAID support, the Moldovan government is strengthening courts so they can be more responsive to citizens, advancing locally-led efforts to build transparency and bolstering independent media.
As both Ukraine and Moldova strive to meet the conditions for EU membership, in the wake of extended threats from Russia’s aggression, and as the European Commission is expected to publish comprehensive evaluations of each country’s progress in one month, there is particular urgency to these reforms. And there is urgency for us, the donor community, to equip our partners with the tools and support they need to continue on the path toward stronger democracy and European integration.
A few weeks ago, in Kyiv, Secretary Blinken announced over $203 million in support for accountability and transparency measures in Ukraine. Today, I am pleased to specify that, of that commitment, USAID will provide $115 million to support the Ukrainian government's public financial management reforms, digitalization of recovery and reconstruction platforms such as the new Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management, the effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, and expanded oversight by civil society.
At USAID, we are steadfast in our commitment to helping the people of Ukraine and Moldova achieve the European future for which they have sacrificed so much to achieve. This is part of USAID’s broader elevation of anti-corruption as a core development priority.
In that vein, today I am pleased to announce USAID’s open call for innovation from the private sector, as part of our Countering Transnational Corruption Grand Challenge. Through this call, we will award up to $4 million to support organizations trying to do business differently – in Europe and Eurasia, and around the world. We will incentivize the business community to pioneer ways to put their country’s wealth to work for the public good, to complement essential government reforms in the fight against corruption.
As the international community gathers this week, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnership with champions in Ukraine and Moldova. Reformers are pushing back against corrupt forces that are highly networked, innovative, well financed, bold, and resilient. We must be equally united in our commitment to a more stable, just, and prosperous future.
Thank you all so much.