Islamic Countries Establish New Phase in Fighting Corruption

Gulf ministers entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing anti-corruption laws after their meeting in Jeddah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gulf ministers entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing anti-corruption laws after their meeting in Jeddah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Islamic Countries Establish New Phase in Fighting Corruption

Gulf ministers entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing anti-corruption laws after their meeting in Jeddah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gulf ministers entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing anti-corruption laws after their meeting in Jeddah (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Sponsored by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the First Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states concluded a two-day meeting that included workshops and panel discussions in Jeddah.

The meeting, held upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia, was attended by the heads of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, relevant international organizations, and a group of local and international officials and experts.

President of Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous said that Saudi Arabia supported efforts to combat corruption at local and international levels, as it constituted a pillar of its national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Al-Kahmous noted that the adoption of the Makkah Agreement by OIC member states establishes a new stage for enhancing cooperation in the field of combating corruption in a way that serves common interests.

Ratifying the Agreement is consistent with the contents of the International Convention against Corruption and reflects the awareness of OIC member states, said Al-Kahmous.

Furthermore, the president reminded that the OIC is the second largest international gathering after the United Nations.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said that the Agreement provided the most significant and effective framework for preventing and combating corruption in member states through effective prevention, law enforcement, international cooperation, and asset recovery mechanisms.

Taha reiterated thanks to Saudi leadership for its generous initiative in hosting the first ministerial meeting of law enforcement agencies concerned with combating corruption in member states under the umbrella of the OIC.

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Ghada Waly, for her part, thanked the Kingdom for hosting the meeting. So did Jurgen Stock, the secretary-general of Interpol.

Abdul Majeed Al-Bunyan, the head of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, indicated in his speech that combating corruption is one of the university’s academic, research and training priorities.

Al-Bunyan referred to the importance of the great role played by the National Anti-corruption Commission (Nazaha) in Saudi Arabia.

In other news, heads of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC held their first ministerial meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies of the GCC States in Jeddah.

The meeting came upon an invitation from Nazaha.

The meeting reviewed the contents of the final communiqué issued by the Supreme Council of GCC at its 43rd session, held on December 9, 2022, which affirmed the full and accurate implementation of the vision of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to promote joint Gulf action, the strength and cohesion of the GCC and the unity of its members and realizing greater coordination, integration and interdependence in all fields in order to achieve the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC member states.



UAE’s Tahnoon bin Zayed, Trump Discuss Strategic Partnership

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. WAM
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. WAM
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UAE’s Tahnoon bin Zayed, Trump Discuss Strategic Partnership

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. WAM
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. WAM

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has met with US President Donald Trump during a dinner banquet held in his honor at the White House, in the presence of senior US officials, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Wednesday.

Sheikh Tahnoon and Trump discussed opportunities to strengthen the long-term strategic partnership between the UAE and the US and explored ways to enhance it to serve their shared interests.

Shekh Tahnoon affirmed the UAE's commitment to strengthening economic ties with the US by expanding partnerships and accelerating investments in key sectors like AI, technology, infrastructure, and healthcare.

He also praised Trump's leadership and economic policies, noting their significant role in stimulating foreign direct investment and fostering robust economic partnerships.

As part of his official visit to the US, Sheikh Tahnoon met on Tuesday with Scott Bessent, US Secretary of the Treasury, to discuss areas of economic and financial cooperation between the UAE and the US and explore ways to strengthen them to serve the interests of both countries.

During the meeting, Sheikh Tahnoon highlighted the strong strategic relations between the UAE and the US and their robust cooperation in financial and business markets. He underscored the vast opportunities available in both countries, emphasizing their potential to further strengthen the partnership and unlock new avenues, particularly in investment in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, WAM said.

Sheikh Tahnoon also met with US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations and the latest developments on matters of mutual interest.

The discussions focused on efforts to strengthen regional and global security and stability, as well as the commitment of both countries to tackling current challenges and optimizing opportunities for development and prosperity, particularly in advanced technology, AI, energy, and joint investment cooperation.

Sheikh Tahnoon engaged with international business executives to explore strategic partnerships with the UAE, with in-depth discussions centering on AI's potential to drive sustainable growth, global innovation, digital infrastructure development, and enhanced industrial cooperation.

He underscored the unprecedented global transformation driven by advanced technology, which is reshaping economies through innovation and creativity.