Doha: Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the State of Qatar is set to host the Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event, organized by the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), will take place on November 26-27 in Doha.
According to Qatar News Agency, Abdul Wahab Saleh Al Kuwari, the official spokesperson for the ministerial meeting, emphasized that combating corruption is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration from government officials, media representatives, and civil society members. He highlighted that the meeting aims to promote integrity and transparency while supporting joint efforts to embed accountability and justice in institutions and societies.
Al Kuwari expressed hope that the upcoming meeting would facilitate the exchange of expertise and practices that advance ant
i-corruption initiatives in Islamic countries. He noted that the meeting, held biennially, aims to enhance information sharing and collaboration among law enforcement authorities, thereby improving the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of related crimes.
Al Kuwari further explained that the meeting is the second-largest international gathering in this field, bringing together heads of anti-corruption enforcement authorities from 56 countries. It will also include participation from key national entities and international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL.
The gathering will see the participation of OIC representatives, along with international bodies like the Egmont Group, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, and the World Bank. The first ministerial meeting was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2022, where the draft Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention was adopted.
Al Kuwari noted that the upcoming meeting is part of implementing Re
solution 48/9 by the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC member states. The resolution stresses the importance of strengthening cooperation within the OIC framework to combat corruption.
Eid Saeed Al Hajri, ACTA Director of Public Relations and Communications, stated that Qatar has made comprehensive preparations for the event, both logistically and in terms of media coverage. A central committee and task forces have been formed, involving various national entities to ensure the event’s success.
Al Hajri outlined the event’s schedule, noting that the first day will focus on senior officials preparing for the ministerial meeting scheduled for the second day. Key resolutions to be discussed include forming a governmental expert team to implement the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention and holding a joint forum between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.
The ministerial meeting will include delegations’ speeches, the adoption of the draft agenda, and the approval of senior officials’ reports. The event will also see t
he signing of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, indicating a commitment to combating corruption.
Additionally, Qatar will sign a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia and Jordan to enhance integrity and combat corruption. The meeting will feature bilateral meetings and workshops aimed at strengthening cooperation among member states.
Al Hajri explained that the meeting’s recommendations would be translated into concrete actions through draft resolutions, with the OIC General Secretariat coordinating with member states to establish mechanisms for implementation. The Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention aims to enhance information sharing among law enforcement authorities, contributing to the recovery and return of stolen assets.
The first ministerial meeting in 2022 discussed the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention and saw participation from high-level officials and international organizations, laying the groundwork for ongoing cooperation in anti-corruption efforts.