The Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption and the Public Service Agency under the President of Tajikistan are working out a draft law on managing conflict of interest in the public service.
The draft law is currently in the consultation phase and is being discussed by relevant ministries and agencies.
The law on managing conflict of interest in the public service is reportedly expected to promote reduction I corruption in government bodies.
A conflict of interests is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial or otherwise, and serving one interest could involve working against another. Typically, this relates to situations in which the personal interest of an individual or organization might adversely affect a duty owed to make decisions for the benefit of a third party. Any conflict of interest must be resolved in favor of the public interest.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes that ensuring that government decisions are not influenced by public officials’ private interests is a growing concern. New forms of partnerships between government and the private sector present new challenges for policy-makers and public managers.
Managing conflict of interest requires a balance. A too-strict approach to controlling private interests may conflict with other rights or be unworkable or deter experienced and competent potential candidates from entering public office or public service. A modern approach to conflict-of-interest policy seeks to strike a balance by: identifying risks; prohibiting unacceptable forms of private interest; raising awareness of the circumstances in which conflicts can arise; and ensuring effective procedures to resolve conflict-of-interest situations.
