A new code of ethics on the way to building New Kazakhstan

- Darkhan Medegalievich, a new edition of the Code of Ethics of Civil Servants was recently approved by Presidential Decree. What was the reason for its adoption?

As you know, the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in January of this year, in his speech at a meeting of the Majilis of the Parliament, and later at a meeting on combating corruption, noted that the work of the state apparatus requires the introduction of "new approaches" and the need to reboot the public service system so that it actually becomes service and customer-oriented.

The changes taking place in Kazakhstan's society and the factors in our daily life require new approaches in the system of public administration. And their implementation in public administration is a key factor in the creation of a new Kazakhstan.

In this regard, it is necessary to increase the level of public confidence in state bodies and work on improving feedback from the population. To do this, it is necessary to form a new model of public administration, people-oriented.

In this regard, the new Code of Ethics is important for the correct understanding and application of the norms of professional ethics.

Solutions to new challenges in the public service system served as a reason for the adoption of a new edition of the Code of Ethics.

- Please tell us what has changed in the new Code of Ethics?

If the Ethical Code of the old edition combined both, in fact, the moral requirements for civil servants and the basic principles for their behavior, then in the new edition this bias was eliminated by separating ethical requirements from other provisions that do not relate to the ethics of civil servants.

The new Code of Ethics establishes standards of service ethics and serves as a basis for the formation of moral qualities among civil servants.

The Code also defines the Agency and its territorial bodies as the bodies coordinating the prevention of violations of official ethics. To this end, the work of ethics commissioners, Commissions and ethics councils for the prevention and prevention of violations will be intensified.

- Were there any changes in the new edition at the request of civil servants?

Yes, it is worth noting that the changes also affected the structure of the Code itself, a new chapter appears – "Ethical principles of public service". According to which, the service ethics of civil servants is based on six principles.

These are conscientiousness, honesty, fairness, openness, politeness and customer orientation. It should be noted that such requirements were imposed on civil servants in the previous code. But, as you have already noticed, the new version of the code provides for priority requirements for compliance with the principles of openness and customer orientation, according to which, civil servants should be fully guided by the needs of the population as a consumer of public services, be ready to work with the public and ensure transparency of their actions.

In general, significant changes have taken place in these areas. We hope that the adopted amendments to the Code will contribute to the formation of a service, open and accessible state apparatus for the population.

- Darkhan Medegalievich, thank you for the detailed information. We also hope that the new Code of Ethics will have a significant impact on increasing public confidence in state institutions.