Doha: Officials and experts at the United Nations Conference on Combatting Corruption have emphasized the necessity of reinforcing work ethics within public institutions and ensuring the independence of oversight and audit bodies. Discussions focused on integrating integrity and transparency frameworks to bolster citizens’ trust and ensure the responsible use of public resources.

According to Qatar News Agency, the session on enhancing integrity and accountability in public institutions was part of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The event, held in Doha from December 15 to 19, featured insights from prominent figures such as Abrar Al Hammad, Assistant Secretary-General for Prevention at the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). Al Hammad stressed that institutional work ethics are essential for ensuring integrity, justice, and transparency, highlighting the need for robust professional conduct among public-sector employees.

Al Hammad shared Kuwait’s experience through Nazaha, detailing a comprehensive analysis of the professional code of conduct in place and identifying challenges such as the legalistic language of the code and the lack of employee input. She noted that anti-corruption bodies often face hurdles, including insufficient legal authority to enforce compliance and impose penalties.

To address these issues, Nazaha launched the Ada’a (Performance) project, aimed at gradually institutionalizing ethical principles through a systematic framework. The initiative focuses on entities with leadership committed to change and incorporates motivation systems to encourage participation. The project’s success is measured through an annual plan, clear guidelines, and an incentive component, leading to increased employee awareness and participation.

Marko Skjerovic from Montenegro’s Anti-Corruption Agency also shared insights, emphasizing the importance of linking anti-corruption indicators to key legal frameworks. He highlighted Montenegro’s evidence-based methodology for evaluating anti-corruption measures and the role of integrity managers in implementing sectoral integrity plans. Institutions are encouraged to adopt practices that exceed legal requirements, promoting proactive transparency and awareness of professional ethics.