عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia Urges Arab Countries to Join Anti-Corruption Network Effectively

Attendees at the Arab Forum for Promoting International Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption (Photo: Saleh Bashir)
Attendees at the Arab Forum for Promoting International Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption (Photo: Saleh Bashir)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Urges Arab Countries to Join Anti-Corruption Network Effectively

Attendees at the Arab Forum for Promoting International Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption (Photo: Saleh Bashir)
Attendees at the Arab Forum for Promoting International Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption (Photo: Saleh Bashir)

The Riyadh Initiative (GlobE Network) seeks to achieve the common goals of Arab countries and the interests of developing countries in combating corruption, announced Nasser Abu al-Khail, Assistant Chairman of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha).

Aba al-Khail told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Initiative had entered into force after being approved by G20 leaders and was welcomed by the General Assembly in New York during its meeting on combating corruption last June.

Riyadh hosted the Arab Forum for Promoting International Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption as part of the 4th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Arab Convention against Corruption.

The Forum urged the Arab countries to effectively participate in the GlobE Network to link anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, stressing the importance of integrating the network and other international anti-corruption networks.

It will help countries evaluate the progress made in anti-corruption efforts and help develop the objective international indexes to measure corruption.

Aba al-Khail recalled that the decision seeks to increase support for the Initiative to achieve its goals after submitting a draft resolution to the member states of the UN Convention against Corruption.

He noted that the Forum represents a significant shift in fighting corruption and the recovery of public funds and assets.

Aba al-Khail added that the Forum discussed several related topics and was concluded with several recommendations and proposals, emphasizing the importance of boosting joint Arab action in combating corruption.

He stressed that the Initiative has entered into force after it was approved during the G20 meeting headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in November 2020.

The 4th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Arab Convention against Corruption concluded Tuesday, with the participation of ministers of anti-corruption ministries in 14 Arab League member states and the presence of several international and regional organizations.

In his opening speech, President of Nazaha Mazin al-Kahmous welcomed the attendees and participants in the Forum and announced that Saudi Arabia is working in partnership with the UN and the Arab League during 2021 to develop a new mechanism for implementing the Arab Convention against Corruption.

Kahmous called on anti-corruption agencies to join the network of the Riyadh Global Initiative and work with Saudi Arabia, which focuses on reviewing current corruption measurement tools aiming to build a new methodology that can develop a new international index.

He added that establishing GlobE Network has come at the right time, especially with the development in the patterns of corruption crimes and corrupted people's utilization of weak cooperation and low levels of exchanging information among anti-corruption apparatuses around the world.

During the forum sessions, international and regional anti-corruption experts revealed that the Saudi approach to activate diplomacy and support efforts to recover public funds is essential to increase the efficiency of law enforcement authorities in combating corruption.

They reiterated the importance of GlobE in promoting International and judicial cooperation, capacity building and overcoming obstacles to recover assets, and enhancing integration with other international networks.

Executive Secretary of Egmont Group Jerome Beaumont emphasized that technical and procedural solutions could not work effectively without political will.

He noted that Saudi efforts in these forums and initiatives are necessary to encourage practical diplomatic work, adding that international groups contribute to providing a secure platform for exchanging information. It also allows financial intelligence to exchange information and other units to communicate in record time.

For his part, UN Crime Prevention Officer Badr al-Banna said GlobE Initiative assists anti-corruption law enforcement authorities and other international networks in protecting the integrity and fighting corruption.

Also at the Forum, Deputy Head of the International Corruption Unit within UK's Crime Agency David Liebscher said the Riyadh Initiative solves the issue of countries' slow response, the overlap of agencies, and lack of experts in digital currencies and money laundering.

It also helps experts to support investigations and track stolen assets and public funds, according to Liebscher.

Europol's Specialist Asset Recovery Marcella van Berkel said that recovering stolen public funds and assets is a complex issue and requires specialized judicial and legal experts.

The expert called for fruitful cooperation between countries, noting that the various anti-corruption and asset recovery agencies are dealing with a new pattern of assets, such as digital currencies.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which will initially be headed ‌by a Pakistani ‌secretary-general for ‌three ⁠years, the three countries ⁠said in a joint statement on Monday. 

The Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement held its first meeting in Istanbul bringing together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, commanders of the defense forces, and chiefs of the general staffs of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan. 

"In keeping with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities, the three states reaffirm their determination to work together within the framework of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region," said a joint statement after the meeting.  

"To this end, they will continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and restraint, thereby encouraging the peaceful resolution of crises." 

"The three states agreed today to take further steps to institutionalize their cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in a manner that strengthens their solidarity, ensures the credibility and effectiveness of collective deterrence and defense, and contributes to regional efforts and cooperative security aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace," it continued. 

"A secretariat, headed by a secretary-general, will be established in Saudi Arabia to support the work of the three states under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. During its initial phase, the secretariat will be led by a secretary-general from Pakistan for a three-year term," it added. 

"Through joint activities, the three states will work to boost their defense capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces by fostering robust cooperation in defense industries and the development of joint production and technologies." 

"Through the institutional and substantive implementation of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, the three states will make essential contributions to regional peace and stability," it stressed. 

Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Makkah agreement will lead to greater stability and prosperity, and reduce uncertainty in the region, adding that "the process of testing a new architecture for security and cooperation in our region has begun with this agreement." 

He described the Makkah agreement as a "historic step," emphasizing that the countries of the region need to move together to establish peace.  

The alliance reinforces the concept of working to solve the region's problems through its own nations, rather than through foreign interventions that have deepened and intensified these problems, he remarked.  

"With the implementation of the agreement, we will witness greater stability in the region, ambiguity will decrease, and the positions of active players will become clear."  

"This alliance is founded on international principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," he stated.  

"The alliance is not against any state and is open to all states in our region that adhere to these fundamental principles," he said.  

Asked if other countries could join the pact, Fidan said it was "indeed possible", but stressed consultations were ongoing to determine conditions, procedures and standards for membership.  

"We are also working on a roadmap regarding the processes of joining the alliance," he added.  

Fidan added: "The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement has been signed, and its objective is indeed to expand, but initially, the foundations must be solidly laid and it must be fully institutionalized."  

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, just like Türkiye, attach utmost importance to this matter, he noted.  

The scope of the agreement will be expanded to include other countries, with the approval of the three nations and through a gradual process. "We are currently seeking to complete the most difficult stage of the process, which is the foundational stage, together."  

Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Turkish FM Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. 

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces

The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
TT
TT

Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces

The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Istanbul on Monday with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

 

This came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

During the meeting, they reviewed the opportunities for military and defense cooperation between the two brotherly countries, SPA reported.

 

They also addressed regional developments and the ongoing efforts to tackle these issues.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT
TT

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi condemned the Iranian attack on the United Arab Emirates using a UAV, affirming that the aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as a direct threat to the safety of its citizens and residents.

He emphasized that the GCC countries stand united with the UAE in confronting all threats, SPA reported.

He also stressed the need for Iran to immediately cease these hostile acts and assume full responsibility for their repercussions, which undermine the security and stability of the region.