Head of the Saudi National Anti-Corruption Commission Mazen al-Kahmous discussed with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) James Walsh means of cooperation in the field of recovering looted state funds.
This comes in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which promotes the fight against corruption and the protection of public funds.
Riyadh looks forward to prosecute corrupts and hold them accountable and return looted funds to the public treasury, to emphasize the principle of the rule of law.
Kahmous also discussed with Walsh a number of topics of common interest on the sidelines of the eighth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC/COSP8) currently being held in Abu Dhabi from Dec.16 till 20.
The meeting was attended by Assistant to the President of the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority for International Cooperation Dr. Nasser AbalKhail, Senior Adviser to the Authority’s president Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Dawood, and a number of the Authority's specialists participating in the conference.
In this context, Kahmous discussed with President of the UAE State Audit Institution (SAI) Harib al-Amimi means of bilateral cooperation in the field of fighting corruption and protecting integrity.
The Saudi official has earlier participated along with his delegation in the conference’s activities and said the Kingdom has developed its vision 2030 and put governance, transparency, integrity, and anti-corruption as its main pillars.
“Saudi efforts in the field of international cooperation were not limited to mere agreements and memoranda of understanding,” Kahmous stressed.
“It, however, prioritized bolstering efforts to combat corruption and protect integrity in the G20, being the group's president for the year 2020.”
It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption on 9 January 2004 and ratified it on 23 January 2013 pursuant to Royal Decree No. M5.
This conference is considered the most important among those concerned with combating corruption and promoting integrity and transparency since the number of states parties to the agreement amounts to more than 185.
It aims at boosting international cooperation, evaluating legislation related to fighting corruption, and enhancing integrity and transparency and means of developing them.
