DOHA — Saudi Arabia participated with a delegation headed by the Chairman of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, Mazen Al-Kahmous, in the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Qatari capital, Doha, from November 26 to 27. Al-Kahmous pointed out that Saudi Arabia, which made combating corruption a fundamental pillar for achieving its Vision 2030, is aware of the repercussions of the cross-border crime of corruption and its impact on Islamic societies and their renaissance. He referred to the recent decision issued by the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in August 2024, held in Cameroon, which urged member states to expedite the signing of the Makkah Agreement for Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Saudi Arabia hosts the Permanent General Secretariat of the Middle East and North Africa Asset Recovery Network (MENA-ARIN) and is holding its presidency in 2025. Al-Kahmous stressed Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving the goals and interests of the network's members, in a way that enhances means of effective cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa region. Saudi Arabia's participation in this meeting comes as part of its keenness to activate its qualitative international initiatives aimed at combating corruption and join the international community in efforts made to protect integrity and combat corruption, and to benefit from the experiences of countries, and governmental and non-governmental organizations. The first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the OIC member states was held at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit. The draft resolution of the Makkah Agreement for the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Cooperation in the Field of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement was adopted, to enhance cooperation between anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in an efficient and rapid manner, encourage joining the Riyadh Global Initiative Network (GlobENetwork), provide a legal framework for the direct and rapid exchange of information and investigations, and contribute to preventing corruption crimes and limiting safe havens for the corrupt.
