KNAA Elected Unanimously to Chair Information Exchange Team in UN Anti-Corruption Network - Sarmad

(KUNA) – The Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha) was elected by acclamation 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 acclamation, just days after being elected by a margin of 91 percent of the votes cast by participating member entities to chair the third thematic working group on peer knowledge and learning.

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

Nazaha clarified that its leadership of two out 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 framework.

For her part, Anwar Al-Qadiri, Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department at Nazaha, stated in the same release that Nazaha’s acclamation to lead the first working group, following its election to lead the third, represents an achievement for the State of Kuwait.

Al-Qadiri emphasized that Nazaha’s acclamation to lead the information exchange working group is a message of trust in the State of Kuwait, its national capabilities, and its ability to make a genuine contribution to international anti-corruption efforts. She described this trust as a source of pride and a responsibility that necessitates doubling efforts.

She 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.

Al-Qadiri noted that rapid access to information has become a decisive factor 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 contact points, and accelerating cooperation in both routine and urgent cases.

She indicated that during its leadership of the group, Nazaha will monitor the practical and legal challenges facing information exchange among member entities, 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 the authority’s vision for leading the group, formerly known as the “Operations Group” and currently the “Information Exchange Group,” to its members in her presentation.

She added that her presentation was based on the authority’s law and current capabilities, as well as its 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 safer information exchange in the field of anti-corruption. She affirmed that this growing presence is supported and guided by the Honorable 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.

It is worth noting that the GlobE Network comprises approximately 256 anti-corruption entities from 137 countries and provides a platform for direct and secure communication among law enforcement authorities, thereby helping

to accelerate the exchange of information and enhance cooperation on cross-border issues.