Nabegh Wins Presidency of International Working Group in UN Anti-Corruption Network - Sarmad

The Public Authority for Combating Corruption, “Nazaha,” was elected to lead the Third Working Party on Knowledge and Peer Learning within the global GlobE Network, under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), after securing an overwhelming majority of 91 percent of the votes cast by representatives of member entities participating in the election.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Nazaha noted that this victory reflects the growing international confidence in the role of the State of Kuwait and its capacity to make an active contribution to leading international cooperation efforts to combat corruption.

According to the statement, Anwar Al-Qadiri, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Authority, emphasized that the election of the Authority to this international responsibility represents an achievement for the State of Kuwait and reflects 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 transforming international knowledge and experiences into practical tools that relevant authorities can utilize to confront increasingly complex corruption crimes, particularly transnational ones.

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

For his part, Dhaari Buayyab, Observer for International Organizations and Conferences at Nazaha, stated in the same statement that the Third Working Party plays a crucial role in developing guidelines and knowledge materials and exchanging best practices among law enforcement agencies.

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

He affirmed that during its leadership of the working party, Nazaha will work 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 funds derived from such crimes.

Buayyab noted that this achievement holds particular significance given the expanding scope of the GlobE Network, which comprises 256 anti-corruption entities from 137 countries and provides a platform for direct and secure communication among law enforcement authorities, thereby facilitating faster information exchange and enhancing cooperation in transnational cases.

He remarked that Nazaha’s election crowns continuous efforts to strengthen Kuwait’s presence in 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 last year. During the meeting, Kuwait presented its experience in international cooperation and combating transnational corruption crimes, its efforts to enhance beneficial ownership transparency, and its experience in receiving electronic reports via the “Sahl” application.

The Authority stated in its press release that the Kuwaiti delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of anti-corruption authorities in several countries on the sidelines of the assembly. These meetings focused on opportunities to enhance cooperation and exchange information and expertise, contributing to expanding the Authority’s international relations and showcasing Kuwait’s experience in this field.

The election of “Nizaha” took place during the meeting held by the Network yesterday, Wednesday, via video conference, with the Authority assuming responsibility for leading the team’s work and coordinating its efforts with other working groups, the Secretariat, and the Network’s Steering Committee, thereby contributing to the development of knowledge and expertise-sharing mechanisms and enhancing practical cooperation among law enforcement authorities worldwide engaged in combating corruption.