The eleventh edition of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption concluded its work in Doha with the adoption of the Doha Declaration 2025.A statement issued by the Conference affirmed that the Doha Declaration delivered a clear message that building the integrity of the future requires the responsible use of technology and the strengthening of international cooperation to address the growing challenges associated with corruption and transnational financial crimes. It noted that the increasing complexity of corruption patterns requires law enforcement and judicial systems to keep pace with these evolving threats, and called on States to leverage digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance international cooperation and improve the accuracy, efficiency, and objectivity of corruption risk assessment.The Declaration encouraged the use of technologies developed by expert networks, including the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), enabling the secure and rapid exchange of information, given the critical importance of time in corruption cases and its direct impact on the integrity of investigations.Acting Executive Director of UNODC John Brandolino said that the new Doha Declaration, with its focus on artificial intelligence, represents an important recognition of the impact of this technology and a fundamental step toward harnessing its potential in preventing and combating corruption. Meanwhile, the Integrity Advisory Board of the Youth Initiative at UNODC called for the meaningful engagement of youth in anti-corruption frameworks and for monitoring the implementation of the commitments made during the Conference.The Conference adopted eleven resolutions, including those related to enhancing transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns, promoting integrity among children and youth through education, examining the role of corruption in facilitating other crimes such as migrant smuggling and environmental crimes, and addressing the future of the peer review mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.It also adopted a declaration on the next phase of the review mechanism, affirming that the effective implementation of the Convention requires review processes that are efficient, effective, and fit for purpose, while drawing on the experience accumulated since the mechanism was launched.As part of efforts to strengthen partnership with the private sector, 21 companies joined the Conference’s newly launched Private Sector Platform, co-led by UNODC and the United Nations Global Compact, with the aim of supporting the implementation of the Convention and enhancing public-private partnerships. The States Parties also decided to hold the twelfth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Uzbekistan.It is noteworthy that the State of Qatar hosted the eleventh session of the Conference from 15 to 19 December, with the participation of more than 2,500 participants from 192 countries, representing governments, international and regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, and youth, in the largest international gathering dedicated to combating corruption and promoting integrity and transparency.

Qatar is expected to remain under the influence of a low-pressure system until late Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, according to the country's Meteorology Department. Director of the Meteorology Department, Abdulla Mohammed Al Mannai, said north-westerly winds would begin to dominate after the system passes, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures over the next three days. **media[395436]** Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Mannai explained that the country has been affected by a low-pressure system accompanied by an extension of cold polar winds in the upper layers of the atmosphere.He noted that this system is the first significant low-pressure weather event to affect Qatar this season and carries clear winter characteristics. In recent hours, the country has experienced rainfall of varying intensity, accompanied by active to occasionally strong winds. Hail was also reported in some areas. Al Mannai said these conditions had been forecast in earlier weather analyses and were driven by several atmospheric factors, including the depth of the low-pressure system, the intrusion of cold polar air in the upper atmosphere, and the presence of dry air in the mid-levels. Together, these elements contributed to the development of intense thunderclouds and hail.Authorities continue to monitor the situation as cooler conditions set in across the country.