Doha: The Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) announced that the 6th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention will be held in Doha from September 21 to 23. The session will be chaired by HE President of ACTA, Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad.
According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference where ACTA spokesperson Abdulwahab Al Kuwari highlighted the significance of the event in fostering joint Arab collaboration in preventing and combating corruption. Doha's hosting of this session marks a pivotal moment in advancing Arab efforts and reflects the commitment of Arab states to bolster integrity and transparency frameworks, uphold the rule of law, and enhance cooperation and expertise exchange measures.
The event aims to build upon the work of previous sessions, which have contributed to the development of institutional and technical frameworks for the Convention's implementation. It will enhance coordination among States Parties and address issues such as capacity-building, asset recovery, exchange of experiences, and developing monitoring mechanisms for the Convention's execution. The program includes a forum addressing issues like the impact of codes of conduct on public-sector integrity, the role of artificial intelligence in corruption prevention, and the role of parliamentary councils and anti-corruption bodies in supporting integrity frameworks.
Al Kuwari emphasized the increasing need for effective corruption-prevention tools and the enhancement of integrity and transparency institutions due to rapid developments at institutional, legislative, and technological levels. Qatar's hosting of the session underscores its commitment to strengthening Arab cooperation and advancing integrity and transparency practices, which align with the Convention's objectives and enhance its implementation.
The session is expected to produce outcomes that will support joint Arab efforts and assist national efforts of States Parties, promoting greater integration and coordination in combating corruption. The event occurs amid a growing need for enhanced Arab cooperation to address evolving methods of concealing illicit proceeds, complex financial transactions, and the swift movement of money and information across borders.
Distinguishing this session is its focus on transitioning from general principles to practical implementation and result measurement, building on the achievements of previous sessions. Key discussion topics include reviewing measures taken to implement decisions from the 5th Session, considering recommendations from subsidiary team meetings, and developing mechanisms for monitoring Convention implementation.
The session's outcomes will revolve around decisions, recommendations, and a final declaration, with implementation monitored through Secretariat follow-ups and reports on decision implementation measures. Key challenges for Arab countries include legislative framework disparities, varying institutional and technical capacities, and the need for enhanced coordination and expedited legal cooperation among states.
Proposed projects involve developing a unified Arab guide on financial corruption crime investigations, strengthening international cooperation by expediting mutual legal assistance responses, and enhancing beneficial ownership transparency. The session's outcomes will be announced following official deliberations and adoption of decisions and the final statement.
