Background:

There is a growing recognition that corruption, both petty and grand, poses a serious challenge to sustainable development and peace in Afghanistan. During the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan held in Paris on June 12, 2008 the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as well as the international community made a clear commitment to the fight against corruption. This commitment has been followed by several critical steps, including the finalization of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the establishment of the High Office of Oversight and anti-corruption to coordinate and oversee anti-corruption efforts.

The High Office of Oversight and anti-corruption (HoO) is the highest office for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the anti-corruption strategy and administrative reform in the country. This office has a unifying oversight function to coordinate, supervise and support all anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan. Thus, it is also the nodal point for overseeing policy development and implementation of anti -corruption strategies related to prevention as well as combating and elimination of all forms of corruption in the country.

To meet its mandate, the HoO has set up two divisions: 1. Policy and Oversight 2. Administrative Affairs. Each of the divisions would be headed up by a Deputy Director General (level of Deputy Minister). Within the two divisions there are numerous Departments, which service a broad range of portfolios including: Strategy Development, Oversight, Asset Registration, Complaints and Information Gathering, Case Tracking and Review, Prevention, Analysis and Survey, Training and Capacity Building, Regional Office Coordination, Administration, Media and Public Outreach, Internal Control and Security.