NAZK identified large-scale corruption risks in the State Enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’

The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) conducted a scheduled inspection of the state specialized economic enterprise “Forests of Ukraine.” The purpose of this measure was to identify potential corruption risks in the activities of the enterprise, which plays a crucial role in managing the country’s forest resources.

As a result of the audit, the NACP identified a number of significant corruption risks in the operations of SE “Forests of Ukraine.” The main issues relate to forest resource management, particularly the transparency of procedures for selecting areas for various types of work, such as road construction or logging activities. The lack of clear criteria and algorithms in these processes creates a potential threat of abuse.

NACP experts emphasized that uncertainty in the use and allocation of forest resources could lead to uncontrolled actions that may be carried out at the expense of the state or public interests. According to the inspection results, the current management practices may leave room for manipulation by responsible individuals.

These risks become even more serious against the backdrop of growing public environmental awareness and increased attention to environmental protection issues. Violations in forestry management can not only undermine public trust in state authorities but also impact the environmental safety of regions.

In light of the identified issues, the NACP recommended that SE “Forests of Ukraine” improve its procedures for determining and approving forest areas for use, introduce an internal control system, and ensure transparency at all stages of resource management. This will help minimize risks and protect the enterprise from potential corrupt practices in the future.

Initiatives aimed at raising transparency standards are of key importance for maintaining a balance between economic use and the conservation of natural resources. The effective implementation of these recommendations will be a significant step forward in combating corruption, ensuring the rational use of forest wealth, and protecting the interests of the state and society.