Qatar to host OIC anti-corruption law enforcement meeting on Nov 26

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar will host the Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities of the Member States of the Organioation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC).The event, organised by the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), will take place on Nov 26-27 in Doha.During a press conference held Sunday, Abdul Wahab Saleh al-Kuwari, the official spokesperson for the ministerial meeting, stated that combating corruption is no longer just a procedural task but a shared responsibility requiring co-operation and solidarity from all, including government officials, media representatives, and members of civil society.He added that the meeting is evidence of the participants' strong commitment to combating corruption and promoting integrity and transparency, supporting the joint efforts to entrench principles of accountability and justice in the institutions and societies.Al-Kuwari expressed his hope that the upcoming ministerial meeting would serve as an effective step toward achieving shared goals and exchanging expertise and practices that advance anti-corruption efforts in Islamic countries for the benefit of their peoples and nations.He pointed out that the meeting, held every two years, aims to enhance the exchange of information and investigations among law enforcement authorities with efficiency and speed. This collaboration facilitates the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes covered by the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention and contributes to the recovery and restitution of stolen assets. The meeting also seeks to bolster technical assistance, training, and expertise sharing between participating states to improve the effectiveness of their anti-corruption efforts.Al-Kuwari added that the meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in OIC member states is the second-largest international gathering in this field. It brings together heads of anti-corruption enforcement authorities from 56 countries, alongside key national entities, including the Ministry of Interior, the Public Prosecution, and the Ministry of Justice, along with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).The meeting is also attended by OIC representatives, the Egmont Group, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, the World Bank, the Arab League, the GCC General Secretariat, Transparency International, the African Union, the European Union, and the GLOBE Network.ACTA Director of Public Relations and Communications Eid Saeed al-Hajri said that Qatar has taken comprehensive steps for the successful organisation of the event, both logistically and in terms of media coverage. A central committee and task forces have been formed, bringing together multiple national entities, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lekhwiya Internal Security Force, Ministry of Public Health, Vodafone, the visitors' entry committee (Hayya), Qatar Airways, the Government Communications Office, Qatar News Agency, and Qatar Tourism.Al-Hajri revealed that Qatar and Saudi Arabia will sign the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention during the event, signalling the intention of the member states to protect integrity and combat corruption in all its forms and manifestations, and the importance of seeking to establish effective practices to combat corruption in all forms.ACTA Director of Public Relations and Communications also announced that Qatar would sign a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia and Jordan in the area of enhancing integrity and combating corruption. He also highlighted that the first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in OIC member states was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. During that meeting, the draft Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention on cooperation in enforcing anti-corruption laws among OIC member states was adopted. Ministers responsible for anti-corruption law enforcement, along with representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, its institutions, and regional and international organizations, participated in the meetings.Al Kuwari noted that the upcoming meeting is being held as part of the implementation of Resolution 48/9 issued by the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC member states at its 48th session. The resolution emphasizes the importance of strengthening cooperation within the OIC framework in combating corruption by forming a governmental expert group to study the matter in preparation for its submission to the ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies.He added that most international and regional organizations have initiated the development of agreements to combat corruption, including the UN, the Arab League, and the African Union. He emphasized that these initiatives stem from the global community's recognition of the need to establish structured agreements for cooperation in combating corruption.He explained that detailed work plans have been prepared, and mechanisms for their execution have been established. Invitations were sent to member states as early as August 2024, while media and marketing plans were divided into three phases: before, during, and after the event.Al Hajri elaborated on the event's schedule, explaining that the first day will be dedicated to senior officials preparing for the ministerial meeting, which will be held on the second day. During the senior officials' meeting, two key resolutions will be discussed. The first resolution concerns the formation of a governmental expert team with an open membership to explore mechanisms and means for implementing the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention of the Member States of the OIC on Anti- Corruption Law Enforcement Cooperation. This includes developing a periodic review mechanism, an operational work plan, and a technical and legislative guide to facilitate the convention's implementation among member states. The second resolution focuses on holding a joint forum between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives to promote integrity within the tourism sector in the Maldives.The ministerial meeting on the second day will include speeches by heads of delegations during the opening session, the adoption of the draft agenda and work program, the approval of the senior officials' report, and the adoption of the two draft resolutions.He added that the meeting will also include bilateral meetings and workshops aimed at strengthening cooperation among member states. These will feature sessions such as "Enhancing Cross-Border Corruption Cases Through the GLOBE Network" and a workshop titled "Global Corruption Measurement Initiative" organized by the UN Development Program (UNDP), which will contribute to experience-sharing and cooperation among member states.Responding to a question about how the meeting's recommendations will be translated into concrete actions, Al Hajri explained that through the draft resolutions to be approved, the OIC General Secretariat will begin coordinating with member states and convening meetings to establish mechanisms and plans for implementation, particularly concerning the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention.Al Hajri pointed out that the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention aims to enhancing information and intelligence sharing amongst law enforcement authorities in an efficient and timely manner for the purpose of facilitating the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offences which could contribute to the recovery and return of stolen assets, in addition to promoting the exchange of technical assistance, expertise and training amongst States Parties to enhance their capacities to share information and intelligence on offences.The first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in OIC member states was held in December 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. That meeting discussed the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention and saw high-level participation from ministers and officials, as well as representatives of international organizations such as UNODC, INTERPOL, and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.