Ukraine has dropped in the corruption perception index, with Transparency International citing the controversial appointment of the head of ARMA as a key reason.

Ukraine has dropped one point in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2024, scoring 35 out of a possible 100. This marks the first negative signal following a three-point increase in the 2023 ranking. According to experts from Transparency International Ukraine, one of the reasons for the decline in the index is the controversial appointment of Elena Duma as head of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), reports UNN.

The competition for the ARMA leadership position took place in the summer of 2023 and immediately sparked a wave of criticism from the anti-corruption community. Elena Duma, who previously had no experience in managing seized assets, was appointed despite warnings from experts and civil society organizations.

Following Duma's appointment, the situation only worsened. ARMA has repeatedly been involved in scandals, and an audit by the State Audit Office revealed that 80% of assets that the agency was supposed to manage remained without a proper custodian. At the same time, journalists and anti-corruption organizations have frequently noted non-competitive tenders and lack of transparency in decision-making processes.

The CPI is formed based on assessments from experts and international organizations that analyze the level of corruption in the public sector. Ukraine's decline in the ranking reflects the perception among international partners that real changes in the fight against corruption are lagging behind statements and promises.

Transparency International emphasized that the effective implementation by Ukraine of commitments and recommendations outlined in three key documents - the Ukraine Facility Plan, the EU Enlargement Report on Ukraine, and the IMF program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) - will be a true foundation for strengthening the state, including in the area of combating corruption. Moreover, anti-corruption experts noted that according to these documents, Ukraine is expected to adopt a law on comprehensive reform of ARMA by 2025.