Fighting Graft ‘Needs Global Cooperation’
Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Riyadh.
The only way to root out corruption is for countries to cooperate globally, an official from the Kingdom’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) said on Friday.
Saudi Arabia is a signatory to several international conventions and treaties aimed at achieving this goal, said Osama Al-Rabiah, Nazaha’s deputy chairman. His comments come on the eve of the International Anti-Corruption Conference starting in Riyadh on Sunday.
Al-Rabiah said the event is part of the Saudi government’s strategy to learn from the experiences of other countries and various government and non-government organizations.
The topics under discussion include the role of the judiciary and regulatory agencies in the fight against corrupt individuals. There would also be a review of how agencies operate across the globe. He said the media plays an important role in raising awareness on the issue.
The two-day event is being held under the aegis of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, and will include several leading international experts. The theme is “Anti-corruption, everyone’s responsibility.”
Khalid Al-Muhaisin, president of the Nazaha, has also invited several local and Arab speakers to share their experiences in tackling graft in their countries. He recently met with Chinese Ambassador Li Chengwen to discuss China’s initiatives.
China will be taking part in the upcoming event according to the Chinese Embassy. A high-powered delegation would attend, an embassy official said.
Meanwhile, the Council of Saudi Chambers is expected to host a meeting on Saturday, March 14, organized by the Nazaha for Vice President of the World Bank Leonard McCarthy, who heads the institution’s anti-graft initiatives, and a group of Saudi businessmen.
Khalid Al-Otaibi, secretary general of the CSC, said the meeting would be an opportunity for businesspeople to learn more about the World Bank’s anti-corruption policies and programs. He said that the chambers of commerce around the country are looking at ways to help the government fight corruption.