In December 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine postponed the enforcement of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying.” It will come into force no later than September 1, 2025, but only after the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) launches the operation of the Transparency Register in May 2025. This delay is expected to allow for a broad information campaign to explain the provisions of the law and its practical application.
What is Lobbying?
Lobbying is a strategic process of interacting with government authorities, allowing various interest groups to be heard and influence decision-making. The goal of lobbyists is to establish trust and mutually beneficial relationships between business, the state, and society for joint development.
How the Transparency Register will increase trust and reduce corruption
The creation of the Transparency Register will allow the public and government authorities to see which interests lie behind each decision made. This register will be the main tool for monitoring the interactions of professional lobbyists with government representatives, helping to avoid potential conflicts of interest and corruption risks.
The introduction of such rules will:
- Increase trust: Citizens will be able to see who and how is influencing political decisions.
- Reduce abuse: The new rules will complicate corrupt schemes within the government and prevent conflicts of interest.
- Ensure equal conditions: Society and business will have the opportunity for legal and transparent communication with the authorities.
Transparency of Lobbying Activity: International Experience
Legislative regulation of lobbying is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. In Canada, for example, free access to government structures is critically important for society because it allows citizens and organizations to interact effectively with the authorities. Lobbyists work openly there to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure fairness in the political process.
It is important that government officials and society know who is involved in lobbying activities. This is why open registers of lobbyists are in operation. The creation of such norms in Ukraine will help avoid unethical or illegal practices during interactions between society, business, and the state.
According to Anna Lachikhina, co-founder of Good Politics: “Transparent lobbying increases trust in interest groups and the authorities and allows society to monitor the influence on political decisions.”
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