11/27/2024–|Last updated: 11/27/202408:59 PM (Mecca time)
Forming an open-ended government expert group to consider mechanisms and ways to implement the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Anti-Corruption Convention was the most important outcome of the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which was hosted by the State of Qatar.
The meeting discussed the mechanism for periodic review of the implementation of the agreement, determining the work mechanism and developing a technical and legislative guide to facilitate the implementation of the agreement in member states. It also discussed establishing a joint forum between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives to enhance integrity in the tourism sector in the Maldives.
The ministerial meeting witnessed the signing by 21 member states of the organization of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement for cooperation between member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the field of combating corruption.
This number of signatures would contribute to accelerating the steps of ratifying the agreement and its entry into force for its entry into force. At the same time, this number of signatures also reflects the member states’ awareness of the threat of corruption and the crimes associated with it, and their keenness to enhance cooperation in the field of combating it.
A number of Arab and Islamic countries sign the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement during the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which is held in the State of Qatar 🇶🇦.
#Anti-corruption #Organization_of_Islamic_Cooperation #Administrative_Oversight_and_Transparency_Authority#Qatar pic.twitter.com/daU5IQghkY
— Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (@acta_qa) November 27, 2024
Real challenges
In his speech before the meeting, the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority in Qatar, Hamad bin Nasser Al-Misnad, stressed the continuation of work to enhance cooperation and integration among the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the field of combating corruption, which is considered a major scourge and represents a real challenge to global security and peace, which requires intensified efforts to develop effective strategies. Programs and implementation plans to eliminate corruption in all its forms and achieve sustainable development.
He pointed out the importance of realizing that combating corruption is not just slogans or religious texts, but rather an integrated system based on the values of justice, honesty, integrity and transparency. It is not only a duty, but rather a social and collective responsibility that requires everyone – governments, institutions and individuals – to come together and work seriously. And devotion to achieving a society characterized by integrity and transparency, which highlights, activates and empowers the role of civil society in this field.
The State of Qatar has issued many legislative tools aimed at highlighting and involving all segments of society in national efforts to prevent and combat corruption, including, for example, making amendments to both the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, and issuing the Law for the Protection of Victims, Witnesses and the like.
Speech by His Excellency the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
At the opening session of the Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation#Anti-corruption #Organization_of_Islamic_Cooperation #Administrative_Oversight_and_Transparency_Authority#Qatar pic.twitter.com/7XQqmHlN4r
— Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (@acta_qa) November 27, 2024
Qatari invitation
The Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority called on the participants in the meeting to participate in the 11th session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which will be held in Doha from 15 to 19 December 2025, which will bring together representatives from all over the world, and is a unique opportunity, to play a role. More effective in the international dialogue on combating corruption.
In turn, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, explained that the adoption of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement at this meeting was guided by the principles and objectives contained in the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, especially the article that stipulates cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, organized crime, and illegal trafficking. The project is linked to drugs, corruption, and money laundering.
He stressed the need for a legal framework to facilitate cooperation between anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in OIC member states more than ever before, and this agreement was drafted to address this urgent necessity.
He explained that the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement is not just a legal document, but rather is evidence of the extent of the collective commitment to strengthening cooperation, as it focuses on supporting cooperation between anti-corruption law enforcement authorities, with a special focus on strengthening communication mechanisms, exchanging information, accelerating investigations and collecting evidence, in addition to ensuring Fast and efficient processing of information exchange requests.
nation #Qatar Chairs the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries and signs the “Mecca Al-Mukarramah Agreement”#Qena pic.twitter.com/dnDOPmKyL8
– Qatar News Agency (@QatarNewsAgency) November 27, 2024
Decisive opportunity
Taha warned that this ministerial meeting is a crucial opportunity to strengthen commitment to combating corruption by enhancing cooperation between law enforcement authorities concerned with combating corruption, and emphasizing that combating corruption remains a top priority on the organization’s agenda, noting that through collective action we can curb the scourge. Corruption undermines good governance, hinders sustainable development efforts, and threatens the future of societies.
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation urged all member states to demonstrate their commitment to combating corruption by signing and ratifying the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement, indicating that it is not just a formal agreement, but a means to create synergy, strengthen partnerships, and intensify concerted efforts to reduce corruption.
His Excellency Mr. Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, representative of the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
“The Kingdom is aware of the repercussions of the cross-border corruption crime and its impact on Islamic societies and their development. pic.twitter.com/TNJKSOPqNb— Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (@acta_qa) November 27, 2024
For his part, the head of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority in Saudi Arabia, Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, affirmed his country’s commitment to joint Islamic action, as it hosted the international coalition initiative for a two-state solution, along with a number of other relevant ministerial meetings.
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is aware of the repercussions of the cross-border crime of corruption, and its impact on Islamic societies and their progress, indicating that, therefore, concerted efforts at the local and international levels to combat this scourge represent an essential pillar for achieving its Vision 2030, which will bring prosperity and progress to our Islamic countries and support their sustainable development goals.
He stressed that the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement for member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is the ideal framework for strengthening anti-corruption efforts and enhancing international cooperation in this field, indicating that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has worked in partnership with relevant international organizations to develop methodologies and indicators to measure corruption.
Source : The island + Qatar News Agency (QNA)
