Doha, December 18 (QNA) - Representatives of oversight, auditing, and anti-corruption agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries stressed the importance of transforming national anti-corruption strategies into practical and implementable applications, noting the need to integrate legislative, institutional and oversight frameworks to achieve integrity and transparency, especially in the public sector.

This came during a panel discussion entitled "GCC National Anti-Corruption Strategies: Policy to Practice," which was held on the sidelines of the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Doha.

In this context HE Assistant Secretary-General for Legislative and Legal Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC Consultant Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi said that the issue of combating corruption in our contemporary world has become one of the essential pillars for achieving sustainable development, consolidating the principles of governance, and enhancing economic and social stability.

His Excellency pointed out that the "Al Ula Declaration," issued by the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council in 2021, emphasized the importance of strengthening mechanisms for integrity, efficiency, governance, transparency and accountability in government agencies and combating corruption, enhancing joint cooperation in this field within the framework of the GCC, and benefiting from relevant international agreements, particularly the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and other relevant agreements.

His Excellency affirmed that the GCC countries will continue their institutional efforts in this direction, as these efforts were commended by the Supreme Council at its 46th session held in December in Manama, Bahrain, in recognition of the achievements made in strengthening the tools of governance, transparency, accountability, integrity and combating corruption, through joint Gulf action.

His Excellency indicated that the anti-corruption system in the GCC countries has moved from the stage of setting strategies to the stage of achieving tangible impact, through various Gulf initiatives and legislations that represent an advanced model in unifying procedural tools, exchanging experiences, and building joint capabilities among the GCC countries, which enhances its position as an active regional group in the global integrity system.

HE Consultant Al Suwaidi explained that the convening of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Doha reflects a shared understanding that the real challenge lies not only in formulating strategies, but also in translating them into measurable executive programs, evaluable indicators, and tangible effects that are reflected on societies and national economies. He stressed that the joint Gulf framework constitutes a strategic space for unifying the national efforts of the GCC countries in the framework of combating corruption, in a way that ensures that executive practices are consistent and integrated.

For his part, HE Regional Director of the GGC Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Dr. Hatem Fouad Ali emphasized that the existing partnership between the UNODC and the GCC countries has contributed to bringing about a qualitative shift in efforts to combat corruption and promote the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, within the framework of implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption at the national and regional levels.

He indicated that the GCC countries have succeeded in completing their legislative systems to combat corruption, as all the Gulf countries have advanced laws and comprehensive national strategies to combat corruption. He pointed out that cooperation with the GCC Secretariat-General resulted in the development of unified regional frameworks, strategies and policies, all of which aim to enhance the capabilities of these countries in confronting corruption as a direct threat to social stability and economic growth at the regional and international levels.

He noted the growing role of the GCC countries in adopting best international practices, stressing that the Gulf experience has become an advanced regional model in aligning national legislation with international standards for combating corruption.

Representatives from several GCC countries shared their practical experiences in implementing national anti-corruption strategies. They included Hamad Al Qaid Al Hammadi from the UAE Accountability Authority; Major Issa Al Saqr from the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security (ACEES) at Bahrain's Ministry of Interior; Miad Al Saghir from the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) in Saudi Arabia; Shabib bin Nasser Al Busaidi from the Financial and Administrative Audit Authority in Oman; Eng. Abrar Al Hammad from the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha); and Fatima Al Naama, Head of the Awareness Department at Qatar's Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA). They also discussed the legislative and institutional frameworks and executive mechanisms adopted by them in this regard.

They pointed out that the success of anti-corruption efforts is not only linked to the existence of written strategies, but also to the extent of integration of legislative and institutional frameworks, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and the adoption of practical tools that are measurable and continuously evaluated. They stressed that promoting integrity, transparency, and combating corruption is not limited to laws and legislation, but extends to awareness and training initiatives aimed at building an institutional culture in this context.

They also noted the importance of implementing awareness and training programs directed at various segments of society, including students, with the aim of promoting the values ​​of integrity among everyone.

Representatives of the oversight, auditing and anti-corruption bodies of the GCC countries noted the need to employ modern technologies and artificial intelligence in oversight work, through specialized digital platforms for auditing, monitoring and reporting suspicions of corruption, which enhances transparency and raises the efficiency of monitoring and analysis. They reviewed examples of cases that were dealt with practically in the GCC countries, stressing that the effective fight against corruption represents a fundamental pillar in the national strategies in their countries.

They affirmed that the sustainability of integrity and anti-corruption efforts requires periodic evaluation of legislation, in-depth analysis of the causes of violations, and the adoption of continuous corrective measures, in addition to providing protection and incentives for whistleblowers and witnesses, which enhances public confidence in the justice and oversight system. At the end of the session, they emphasized that the national experiences of the GCC countries reflect a shared Gulf commitment to strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences and best practices, and transforming national anti-corruption strategies into sustainable practical practices. (QNA)