OSCE, Open Government Partnership, and German Corporation for International Cooperation support Western Balkans participating States in advancing beneficial ownership reform

Advancing beneficial ownership reform in the Western Balkans, transparency, and common challenges were the focus of an online workshop, on 14 June 2021, organized by the OSCE, jointly with the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Government, civil society, and private sector representatives shared lessons learned in implementing public beneficial ownership registries and the use of data by civil society and the media.

Beneficial ownership transparency has emerged as a key tool in combating corruption, preventing the flow of illicit funds, and fighting tax evasion. By collecting and publishing beneficial ownership information, countries around the globe are working to promote corporate accountability and end anonymous companies.

At the OSCE 2020 Ministerial Council in Tirana, OSCE participating States adopted a decision on digitalization as a tool to prevent and combat corruption and improve the business climate in the OSCE region. The decision stressed the need to strengthen transparency in public administration and employ tools that can facilitate access to information and the effective delivery of public services, and encourage transparency in beneficial ownership information.

This workshop is a continuation of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities focus and activities on beneficial ownership as a mechanism to combat corruption and money laundering. This webinar and future activities in this area are part of a network on beneficial ownership, initiated by the OGP, and supported by the OSCE.