Nabogh wins acclamation to lead the information exchange team in the UN's GlobE Network, also chairing two international working groups

Nada Abu Nasr

The Public Authority for Combating Corruption, “Nazaha,” has achieved its second international milestone in a matter of days, this time being elected by acclamation to chair the First Thematic Working Group on Information Exchange within the GlobE Network, the United Nations’ global network of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities. This follows its election just days earlier, with 91% of the votes from participating member entities, to chair the Third Thematic Working Group on Peer Learning and Knowledge.

With this achievement, “Nazaha” now leads two of the three thematic working groups in the network, a move that reflects growing international confidence in the capabilities of the State of Kuwait and its ability to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the international cooperation framework against corruption.

The announcement of “Nazaha’s” acclamation to lead the first working group was made yesterday, Thursday, entrusting the authority with leading the group’s work and coordinating its efforts with other working groups, the secretariat, and the network’s steering committee. The First Working Group serves as the thematic reference point for the network regarding all matters related to informal information exchange, points of contact, and prior consultation for mutual legal assistance requests. It provides advice on operational issues concerning direct information exchange among member entities, thereby enhancing the speed, security, and effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in corruption cases, in accordance with applicable legal frameworks and the network’s guidelines. It also serves as a permanent forum for examining the interpretation and application of these principles upon request by concerned members, and can be consulted on matters related to the network’s model agreement on information exchange.

Anwar Al-Qadiri, Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (“Nazaha”), emphasized that the acclamation of the authority to lead the First Working Group, just days after its election to lead the Third Working Group, represents a double achievement for the State of Kuwait.

She added, “The acclamation of Nazaha to lead the information exchange working group is not merely a win for a leadership position, but a message of confidence in the State of Kuwait, its national capabilities, and its ability to provide a genuine addition to international efforts to combat corruption. This is a confidence we cherish and consider a responsibility that necessitates doubling our efforts.”

She affirmed that this acclamation reflects a direction the authority seeks to consolidate, which involves transitioning from participation in international forums and knowledge exchange to direct contribution in leading initiatives and shaping joint action pathways.

She clarified that the significance of this achievement lies in the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by the First Working Group, as it is the group closest to the daily operational work of practitioners in anti-corruption law enforcement authorities. She stated, “Rapid access to information has become a decisive factor today in pursuing transnational corruption crimes and tracing their proceeds. Hence, the importance of Kuwait’s leadership of a group focused on removing obstacles to information exchange among practitioners, enhancing the role of points of contact, and accelerating cooperation in both routine and urgent cases.”

Al-Qadiri noted that “Nazaha” will, during its leadership of the group, monitor the practical and legal challenges facing information exchange among member entities, share best practices in informal cooperation and prior consultation for mutual legal assistance requests, and other forms of formal and supportive cooperation, and collect successful examples of using the network’s tools.

The GlobE network comprises approximately 256 anti-corruption stakeholders from 137 countries and, through its Secure Communication Platform (SCP), provides a direct and secure communication channel between law enforcement authorities, thereby accelerating information exchange and enhancing cooperation on cross-border cases. The endorsement received support from members representing four continents who participated in the first meeting of the team, held via videoconference on October 22, 2026. Participants included representatives from anti-corruption bodies, financial intelligence units, and law enforcement agencies.

In her presentation to the members of the first team (formerly known as the “Operations Team” and currently referred to as the “Information Exchange Team”), Al-Qadiri outlined the Authority’s vision for its leadership: a network in which every member can reach the appropriate peer authority, securely exchange actionable information, and receive responses in a timeframe that makes a tangible difference in cases. She explained that her presentation was grounded in the Authority’s legal framework and current capabilities, as well as her firm belief in the role of the GlobE network and the growing role and capacities of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities.

She proposed four priorities: translating guidelines into practice through a concise toolkit; making the Secure Communication Platform the default option via peer clinics and training programs; building regional bridges in collaboration with regional components; and measuring what works through an annual snapshot of requests, response times, and outcomes reported to the General Assembly.

She emphasized that “integrity” underpins her efforts to build relationships and cooperation bridges at the regional and international levels, channeling these relationships toward faster and more secure information exchange in the fight against corruption. This growing presence is supported and guided by Dr. Rana Al-Faris, Chair of the Authority, and reflects her commitment to highlighting the role befitting the State of Kuwait and its established standing within the international community.

Al-Qadiri concluded her statement by saying: “We are proud of this international confidence, but our ambition extends beyond winning leadership to demonstrating Kuwait’s suitability for this responsibility through practical initiatives and outcomes that benefit network members. We believe that national competencies are capable of competing and leading internationally when given the opportunity, and we will ensure that the integrity-led leadership of the first and third working teams constitutes a genuine addition to the trajectory of international cooperation in combating corruption, marking a new achievement recorded in the name of the State of Kuwait.”