Doha, December 17 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has stressed that the global economic cost of corruption has catastrophic repercussions on societies, leading to slower economic growth, reduced investment, rising poverty, environmental degradation, and political and social instability that can ultimately cost lives and undermine future generations.

Citing UN and international studies, Qatar noted that corruption costs the global economy about 5% of global GDP, exceeding $2.6 trillion.

This came in Qatar's statement at the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption, currently being held in Doha, delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN and international organizations in Vienna, Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi.

HE the ambassador said the heavy cost of corruption makes combating it a top priority and requires coordinated global action, with the UN Convention against Corruption as a key tool.

He added that the conference provides an important platform for collective action through innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, enforcement, and international cooperation.

He explained that two decades of implementing the Convention have shown that major obstacles, such as weak institutions, limited transparency and accountability, excessive bureaucracy, transnational crimes, and data and technology gaps, can only be effectively addressed through international cooperation, technical assistance, and capacity-building, especially for developing countries, least developed countries, and post-conflict states.

At the national level, he said Qatar places great importance on integrity and transparency in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which is built on justice, equality, rule of law, and transparency.

His Excellency highlighted Qatar's robust legal and institutional framework and the launch of the National Strategy to Promote Integrity, Transparency and Corruption Prevention (2025–2030).

Regionally and internationally, HE Al Hammadi reaffirmed Qatar's active role since adopting the Convention, including hosting the third Conference of States Parties in 2009, when the review mechanism was adopted, and hosting the current session, underscoring Qatar's commitment to multilateralism.

He also noted the launch in 2016, in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, which has helped raise global awareness and support for anti-corruption efforts.

In his speech, His Excellency touched on the international initiatives launched by the State of Qatar to promote the implementation of the Convention and strengthen international cooperation, including the launch of the Global Program for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration in 2015, and the launch of a global network for judicial integrity in late 2017 in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, in addition to signing agreements with international organizations, establishing international training centers, and providing generous support to international organizations and countries, especially developing countries, to enhance their capabilities in the field of combating corruption.

In conclusion, he called for renewed commitment to strengthening legislative, institutional, and cultural frameworks, enhancing transparency and accountability, addressing emerging forms of corruption, and intensifying international cooperation, technical assistance, and support for countries most in need. (QNA)