NAB Wins Chairmanship of UN Global Network Against Corruption Working Group with 91% Majority

Nada Abunassar: The Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nizaha) was elected to lead the Third Working Party on Knowledge and Peer Learning within the GlobE Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), after securing an overwhelming majority of 91% of the votes cast by representatives of member entities participating in the election. In a press statement, Nizaha noted that this victory reflects growing international confidence in the role of the State of Kuwait and its capacity to make an active contribution to leading international cooperation efforts against corruption.

According to the statement, Anwar Al-Qadiri, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Authority, emphasized that the election of Nizaha to this international responsibility represents an achievement for the State of Kuwait and underscores the trust and respect it enjoys among international bodies concerned with combating corruption.

Al-Qadiri clarified that the significance of this achievement extends beyond assuming a leadership position within the network; it lies in the nature of the responsibilities the working party will undertake and its role in translating international knowledge and experiences into practical tools that relevant authorities can utilize to confront increasingly complex corruption crimes, particularly transnational ones.

She further noted that Nizaha views this responsibility as an opportunity to enhance Kuwait’s contribution to the development of joint international efforts, adding that the Authority’s success in leading the working party will be measured by the practical initiatives and outcomes achieved that benefit network members, rather than merely by holding a leadership position.

For his part, Dhafer Buayyad, Observer for International Organizations and Conferences at Nizaha, explained, according to the statement, that the Third Working Party plays a crucial role in developing guidelines and knowledge materials, and in exchanging best practices among law enforcement agencies.

Buayyad added that the working party’s tasks also include monitoring emerging challenges, risks, and patterns in corruption crimes, including those linked to modern technologies, virtual assets, and artificial intelligence, as well as proposing initiatives that contribute to enhancing the efficiency of agencies tasked with combating such crimes.

He affirmed that under Nizaha’s leadership of the working party, efforts will be made to strengthen coordination among member entities, encourage the exchange of successful experiences, and develop knowledge-based and training initiatives that support the capacities of competent authorities to detect corruption crimes, prosecute perpetrators, trace illicit proceeds, and recover assets derived from such crimes.

Al-Bayan reported that this achievement holds particular significance given the expansion of the GlobE Network, which comprises 256 anti-corruption authorities from 137 countries and provides a platform for direct and secure communication among law enforcement agencies, thereby facilitating faster information exchange and enhancing cooperation on cross-border cases.

He noted that the election of “Nizaha” (Integrity) caps continuous efforts to strengthen Kuwait’s presence at international forums, highlighting the Authority’s active participation in the Seventh Meeting of the GlobE Network General Assembly, held in Vienna, Austria, from August 25 to 28. During the meeting, Kuwait showcased its experience in international cooperation and combating transnational corruption crimes, as well as its efforts to enhance beneficial ownership transparency and its experience in receiving electronic complaints via the “Sahl” application.

In a statement, the Authority clarified that the Kuwaiti delegation held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the assembly with representatives of anti-corruption authorities in several countries. These meetings addressed opportunities to enhance cooperation, information exchange, and expertise sharing, contributing to broadening the Authority’s international relations and highlighting Kuwait’s experience in this field.

The election of “Nizaha” took place during the meeting held by the Network on Wednesday via video conference, entrusting the Authority with the responsibility of leading the team’s work and coordinating its efforts with other working groups, the Network’s Secretariat, and its Steering Committee. This will contribute to developing mechanisms for knowledge and expertise exchange and strengthening practical cooperation among law enforcement agencies worldwide focused on combating corruption.