Saudi Arabia Participates In The 11th UN Anti-Corruption Conference Held In Qatar

Saudi Arabia took part in the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Doha, Qatar, from December 15 to 19. The Saudi delegation was led by Mazin Al-Kahmous, President of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), and included officials from various ministries and authorities.

Al-Kahmous expressed gratitude to Qatar for hosting and chairing the session, highlighting the quality of its organisation. He also acknowledged the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the conference secretariat in ensuring effective implementation of the convention's provisions. Additionally, he commended the United States for its leadership during the 10th session over the past two years.

The Kingdom is committed to enhancing integrity and anti-corruption measures through legislative and institutional frameworks. Al-Kahmous emphasised Saudi Arabia's dedication to international cooperation in law enforcement and asset recovery. The Kingdom aims to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts by adopting international best practices.

Saudi Arabia will preside over the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) from 2025 to 2027. It will also host the permanent secretariat of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA-ARIN) and lead this network in 2025.

The UNCAC provides a comprehensive framework for promoting integrity, law enforcement, international cooperation, and asset recovery. It supports states parties by facilitating information exchange and expertise sharing. More than 180 countries are parties to this convention.

Al-Kahmous thanked states parties for their constructive engagement in developing Saudi Arabia’s draft resolution on data collection to measure corruption impacts. This initiative aims to enhance states' capacity to collect and analyse data, assessing their anti-corruption efforts' actual effects.

Saudi Arabia's Participation in UNCAC

The Conference of States Parties to UNCAC is a significant international forum focused on anti-corruption efforts. It enhances countries' ability to implement the convention while promoting integrity and transparency. Saudi Arabia became a party following its ratification under Cabinet Resolution No. 62 dated Rabiʿ al-Awwal 2, 1434 AH.

The Kingdom continues to support global anti-corruption initiatives through Nazaha. Al-Kahmous affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains committed to fulfilling international commitments related to UNCAC by advancing its implementation.

With inputs from SPA