At the annual meeting held in Paris, Lithuania officially assumed the role of the newly designated country Chair of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). During the 30th meeting of the ACN Steering Group, Lithuania took up its role of newly designated country Chair, with Egidijus Radzevičius, Deputy Director of the Special Investigation Service of Lithuania (STT), representing the country.
“Chairing the ACN is not only a significant recognition for Lithuania and the STT, but also a responsibility—to contribute to a more effective fight against corruption in the region. Our goal is to strengthen the region’s overall resilience to corruption and foster an environment in which citizens can trust public institutions. To this end, we will share best practices, promote cooperation, and support countries committed to the path of transparency,” said Mr Radzevičius, the newly appointed Chair of the OECD ACN.
The new position will reinforce the ACN’s current leadership and support the further development of its activities. The Chair’s role is expected to include:
- shaping the strategic direction of the ACN and supporting its Secretariat;
- promoting member engagement and mobilizing resources;
- coordinating the activities of the Network;
- representing the ACN in international and regional forums.
Lithuania’s nomination as country Chair was based on its long-standing valuable experience within the OECD Working Group on Bribery, Mr Radzevičius’ active participation in previous ACN Steering Group meetings, and significant contributions to ACN initiatives.
This appointment not only strengthens the STT’s position as a reliable and active international partner, but also contributes to shaping more effective anti-corruption policies across the region.
The ACN is a regional initiative of the OECD Working Group on Bribery. Established in 1998, the Network currently supports 24 member countries in enhancing their anti-corruption efforts and prevention measures. It operates through the implementation of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP), the Law Enforcement Network (LEN) for anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors, the Business Integrity Group, as well as tailored country-specific projects.
