At the Inaugural International Anti-Corruption Forum in Bucharest, Oleksandr Klymenko Showcases Results from SAP and NABU

Oleksandr Klymenko’s Address at the First International Anti-Corruption Forum

According to САП: On October 19, 2026, Oleksandr Klymenko, head of Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), delivered a keynote presentation at the inaugural International Anti-Corruption Forum (IACF 2026) held in Bucharest. During his speech, he shared comprehensive updates on the achievements of both SAP and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), highlighting strategic directions for global cooperation in investigating high-level corruption and recovering stolen assets. This landmark event, initiated by Ukraine and supported by the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), brought together nearly 100 anti-corruption experts, including 75 international delegates representing 32 countries and various global organizations.

Klymenko revealed that within the first nine months of 2026, courts finalized 86 indictments involving 116 individuals linked to cases managed by NABU and SAP. Emphasizing the critical role of cross-border collaboration, he noted,

“Corruption cases frequently transcend national borders. Funds flow through foreign companies, assets are held overseas, and suspects may leave Ukraine.”

Key Areas for International Cooperation

Klymenko stressed the urgent need for:

• accelerated access to evidence;
• formation of joint investigative teams;
• assistance in asset seizure and repatriation.

He underscored that international legal support and extradition cooperation are vital to effectively combat corruption. Especially amid the ongoing full-scale war, fighting corruption is essential to safeguarding resources necessary for national defense and resilience.

This forum comes amid intensifying global efforts to tackle corruption, an issue increasingly recognized for its capacity to undermine democratic institutions and economic stability. Ukraine’s proactive measures in anti-corruption enforcement resonate strongly on the international stage, with the successes of NABU and SAP serving as crucial milestones in restoring public trust and attracting foreign investment.

As discussions on global anti-corruption initiatives gain momentum, Ukraine continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing corruption even in wartime. Recently, the country shared its innovative strategies at the EPAC/EACN Conference in Montenegro, highlighting effective measures to mitigate corruption risks during ongoing conflicts. This showcases a broader effort to align international cooperation against corruption with real-time challenges faced by nations in crisis.