On 25 May 2016 the training programme “Implementing Transparency and Good Governance: the Latvian Experience for Uzbekistan” came to an end. The programme was delivered by Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL), in cooperation with the US Embassy in Uzbekistan. Ambassador Afzal Artikov from the Uzbek Embassy in Latvia and Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit from the US Embassy in Latvia also joined the closing event.
As noted by RGSL Rector George Ulrich: “It was a challenge for RGSL to organize such an intensive programme. I consider we succeeded in that and I hope that all the participants gained very good experience which they can adopt in Uzbekistan."
Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit added: "This week you learned a lot in a short amount of time. We all bear the responsibility to tackle corruption. Whether it’s in Tashkent, Texas or Tukums, we as citizens are obligated to do what we can to make sure our communities are prosperous, peaceful, and fair."
The moderator of the programme was anti-corruption expert Inese Voika. Nine officials from Uzbek state institutions took part in the programme. The main focus of the project was to empower participants from Uzbekistan with the knowledge and experience that Latvia enjoys in matters of good governance and transparency, and to demonstrate the role of transparency and public control in fighting corruption. Examples from Latvia that were covered during the programme included such topics as effective anti-corruption strategies in government institutions, anti-corruption educational projects and integrity mechanisms in public administration. The participants also met H.E. Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Republic of Latvia.
At the end of their training participants received certificates of successful completion of the Programme.