KNAA wins acclamation to lead the information exchange team in the UN's GlobE Network

The Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha) has been elected to chair the first thematic working group on information exchange within the United Nations’ GlobE Network, the global network of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities. In a press statement on Friday, Nazaha announced that it secured the chairmanship of the information exchange working group by election, just days after being elected with 91 percent of the votes cast by participating member authorities to chair the third thematic working group on peer learning and knowledge sharing.

Nazaha added that the first thematic working group on information exchange is the primary reference point within the network’s thematic areas regarding informal information exchange, contact points, and prior consultations for mutual legal assistance requests. It also provides guidance on operational matters concerning direct information exchange among member authorities.

The authority emphasized that chairing two of the three thematic working groups in the international network reflects growing international confidence in the capabilities of the State of Kuwait and its ability to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the international anti-corruption cooperation system.

For her part, Anwar Al-Qadiri, Acting Director of International Cooperation at Nazaha, stated in the same announcement that Nazaha’s election to lead the first working group, shortly after its election to lead the third, represents an achievement for the State of Kuwait. She affirmed that Nazaha’s election to chair the information exchange working group conveys confidence in the State of Kuwait, its national capabilities, and its ability to deliver tangible value to international anti-corruption efforts. This confidence is a source of pride and is viewed as a responsibility that necessitates doubling our efforts.

Al-Qadiri explained that the significance of this achievement lies in the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by the first working group, which is the closest to the daily operational work of practitioners in anti-corruption law enforcement authorities. She noted that 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 working group focused on removing obstacles to information exchange among practitioners, enhancing the role of contact points, and accelerating cooperation in both routine and urgent cases.

She clarified that during its leadership of the working group, Nazaha will monitor the practical and legal challenges facing information exchange among member authorities, share good practices in informal cooperation and prior consultations for mutual legal assistance requests, and other forms of formal and supportive cooperation. It will also collect successful examples of using the network’s tools.

Al-Qadiri mentioned that she presented her vision for leading the working group, formerly known as the “Operations Working Group” and currently renamed the “Information Exchange Working Group,” to its members in a presentation. She added that her presentation was based on the Authority’s law, its current capabilities, and her firm belief in the role of the GlobE Network and the growing role and capabilities of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities.

Al-Qadiri stressed that Nazaha continues to build its relationships and cooperation bridges at the regional and international levels, leveraging these relationships to facilitate faster and more secure information exchange in the field of anti-corruption. She emphasized that this growing presence comes under the support and guidance of Dr. Rana Al-Faris, Chairperson of the Authority, and her commitment to highlighting the role befitting the State of Kuwait and its established standing within the international community.

The GlobE Network comprises approximately 256 anti-corruption entities from 137 countries and provides a secure, direct communication platform for law enforcement authorities, facilitating faster information exchange and enhancing cooperation on cross-border cases.