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Today, Tuesday, in the Qatari capital, Doha, the work of the preparatory meeting for the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in countries for members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation began.
At the beginning of the preparatory meeting of senior officials held in preparation for the ministerial meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, Assistant Chairman of the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) for International Cooperation, Nasser bin Ahmed Aba Al-Khail, delivered a speech by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the first ministerial meeting held in Jeddah on December 20-21, 2022.
Aba Al-Khail stressed “the importance of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement for the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to cooperate in the field of enforcing anti-corruption laws,” stressing that it represents an important step towards joint Islamic action in this field.
Aba Al-Khail called on all member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take advantage of this opportunity and sign the agreement.”
He revealed a joint initiative between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Maldives to hold an international forum under the slogan: “Integrity in Tourism,” which will be held in 2025 in the Maldives in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
At the end of his speech, Aba Al-Khail announced the formation of the body of the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement bodies, which consisted of the State of Qatar as president, the Republic of Azerbaijan as vice-chairman for the Asian group, the Republic of Senegal as vice-chairman for the African group, the State of Palestine as vice-chairman for the Arab group, and the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia as rapporteur.”
The State of Qatar assumed the presidency of the second ministerial meeting, where Amal Ahmed Al Kuwari, Director of the Oversight and Development Department at the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, delivered a speech by the State of Qatar.
Al Kuwari stressed, “The State of Qatar’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the field of combating corruption, pointing out that corruption represents a global challenge that requires combined efforts and resources to achieve success in combating it.”
She pointed out that “the State of Qatar attaches great importance to preventing and combating corruption and works tirelessly to enhance integrity and transparency in all sectors,” indicating that “this interest has been translated into many initiatives and legislative tools that have been adopted and which aim to improve the legal environment and enhance transparency.” In public and private institutions.
She revealed that “the most prominent of these efforts are the amendments made by the State of Qatar to its domestic laws in line with international agreements and international anti-corruption standards,” noting that “the most important of these efforts are the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, ensuring the comprehensiveness of the legal framework to criminalize corruption.” And law enforcement in accordance with the best international standards, as well as the “Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law,” which establishes a strong legal framework to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, which enhances the integrity of the national economy and contributes to providing a safe investment environment.
She referred to the “Unified Economic Register Law,” which guarantees the highest standards of transparency in determining the real beneficiaries of companies and commercial institutions, the “Tenders and Auctions Law,” which aims to ensure the integrity and transparency of tenders and auctions processes, and the “Law Regulating the Right to Access to Information,” which enhances It is based on the principle of transparency and contributes to enabling citizens and society to obtain information.”
She stressed that “The State of Qatar is proud to present the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad II International Award for Excellence in Anti-Corruption, which represents one of the leading initiatives in the world and aims to honor individuals and institutions that contribute effectively to combating corruption and promoting transparency and integrity,” noting that “the award It is awarded annually in four main areas in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Al Kuwari stressed that “these initiatives and legislative amendments are part of the State of Qatar’s deep and ongoing commitment to enhancing integrity and providing a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.”
She stressed that “this conference represents a great opportunity to exchange ideas and unify efforts to combat corruption,” expressing her confidence that this meeting will contribute to deepening cooperation and exchanging best experiences and practices among the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as it “represents an ideal platform for achieving the maximum benefit from the discussions and sessions that will address Various aspects of combating corruption.”
What are the main challenges faced by OIC member states in combating corruption?
Title: Combating Corruption: An Interview with Anti-Corruption Expert Nasser bin Ahmed Aba Al-Khail
Editor at Time.news: Good morning, everyone! Today, we have a special guest with us, Nasser bin Ahmed Aba Al-Khail, the Assistant Chairman of the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority of Saudi Arabia. He has played a pivotal role in today’s preparatory meeting for the ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Welcome, Mr. Aba Al-Khail!
Nasser bin Ahmed Aba Al-Khail: Good morning! I’m glad to be here and discuss such an important topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Can you tell us what prompted the OIC member states to convene for this ministerial meeting?
Nasser: Absolutely. The increasing global challenge of corruption has prompted us to take concerted action. The Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement underscores our commitment to cooperation among member states in enforcing anti-corruption laws. This meeting is just a step towards enhancing collaboration in our fight against this pervasive issue.
Editor: You mentioned the Makkah Agreement as a significant tool for cooperation. Can you elaborate on what this agreement entails and how it can aid member states?
Nasser: The Makkah Agreement represents a mutual understanding among OIC countries to unite our efforts against corruption. It provides a framework for sharing best practices, facilitating joint training, and collaborating on legal standards. Its importance lies in its capacity to strengthen our collective ability to combat corruption effectively.
Editor: At today’s meeting, you also announced an upcoming international forum, “Integrity in Tourism,” scheduled for 2025 in the Maldives. Why is this initiative critical in the fight against corruption?
Nasser: Tourism is a major economic driver, but it can also be susceptible to corrupt practices. By promoting integrity within this sector, we aim to ensure that tourism contributes positively to our economies rather than fostering corruption. This forum will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas and establishing guidelines to promote transparency in tourism operations across member states.
Editor: Speaking of transparency, the State of Qatar highlighted its commitment to preventing corruption and improving legal frameworks. What are some specific legislative reforms Qatar has implemented to combat corruption?
Nasser: Qatar has undertaken significant reforms, such as updating its Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in line with international anti-corruption standards. These updates enhance the legal environment, providing a comprehensive framework to criminalize acts of corruption. Additionally, the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law establishes robust measures to deter financial crimes, which are often connected to corruption.
Editor: It sounds like there’s a strong emphasis on creating a solid legal foundation. What role does the cooperation between member states play in achieving success in these initiatives?
Nasser: Cooperation is key. Corruption does not recognize borders; it is a global issue that requires collaborative solutions. By sharing information, resources, and strategies amongst member states, we can enhance our collective capability to tackle corruption effectively.
Editor: what message would you like to convey to the citizens of OIC member states about the importance of tackling corruption?
Nasser: I would like to stress that combating corruption is not just the responsibility of governments; it’s a shared responsibility that involves all sectors of society, including citizens. We encourage everyone to be vigilant and report corrupt practices. Together, we can build a more transparent and accountable environment for all.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Aba Al-Khail, for your insights and dedication to this critical issue. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the ministerial meeting and the initiatives that will emerge from it.
Nasser: Thank you for having me! Together, we can make significant strides in combating corruption.
Editor: And thanks to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the developments from Doha and the ongoing efforts to enhance the fight against corruption among OIC member states.