By Nour Abuzant
Participants at the 6th Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity have expressed concern over the weakening of anti-corruption institutions as well as the threat faced by officials fighting graft.
At the end of their two-day meeting in Doha, delegates called upon governments to take all necessary measures to ensure that anti-corruption authorities can effectively contribute to the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of corrupt persons and to secure the return of the proceeds of corruption.
Among the more than 1,500 participants were ministers and senior government officials, representatives from international organisations and business leaders.
They agreed that corruption was a complex economic, political and social challenge that threatened democracy and sustainable development, the rule of law, the welfare and health of citizens.
“Corruption’s influence extends to the spread of organised crime, terrorism and other illicit areas that pose threats to the security, good order and flourish of the society.”
The participants urged the global community to redouble efforts to promote national integrity systems and to activate strategies to combat all forms of corruption and the laundering of money earned through illicit dealings.
They marked that corruption, involving officials from the private and public sectors, is a grave and corrosive abuse of power that destabilised the social fabric of communities.
The gathering stressed that steps should be taken to provide incentives to the business sector to co-operate with the law enforcement authorities such as measures by governments to mitigate penalties for such co-operation or for adopting such anti-corruption programmes.
They noted with concern the mounting trans-national nature of corruption and agreed on the need for sharing of good practices in formal and informal cooperation arrangements for the prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption cases.
The delegates also pointed out the benefits of educational initiatives to foster a culture of integrity, and the crucial role of the media to inform and educate the public beside exposing corruption.
They stressed on the importance of the integrity and independence of the judiciary and investigating agencies and the vigilance of parliaments in the fight against corruption.
Emir meets conference delegates
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday received at the Emiri Diwan delegates who are in Qatar to attend the 6th Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity.
Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-oh, and Russia’s Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov called on the Emir.
During the meetings, they discussed a number of topics on the agenda of the 6th Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, currently in session in Doha.
Separately, HE the Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday met US Secretary of Justice and Attorney General Eric H Holder, who is taking part in the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Doha. Talks during the meeting dealt with co-operation in issues of common interest and ways of enhancing them.
Forum Award for US president
The 6th Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, currently in session in Doha, has presented the Forum Award to US President Barack Obama in recognition of the United States’ initiative to launch the forum in Washington in 1999.
HE the Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri handed the award to US Secretary of Justice and Attorney General Eric H. Holder at an event marking the occasion on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum, held on the sidelines of the 6th Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity. Some 60 students from all over the world. participated in the youth forum.
The award consists of an Arab sword which is the theme of the Forum and symbolises the strength in the fight against corruption. |
