His Excellency Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) president Hamad bin Nasser al-Misnad, who is also the president of the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), has affirmed that the hosting of the session by Qatar renews the collective commitment to combating corruption and exploring avenues for bolstering integrity and transparency, in addition to broadening international co-operation horizons in this critical field.Addressing the opening session of this conference, al-Misnad stressed that this high-profile event positions itself as a core platform for engagement and sharing expertise, as well as galvanising anti-corruption efforts on the global stage.HE Al-Misnad applauded the accession of Saint Kitts and Nevis and San Marino to the UNCAC in 2024 and 2025, which raised the total number of States Parties to 192, and urged additional countries to accede to the Convention.The previous sessions of this conference have, he noted, literally contributed to concrete achievements that deepened the culture of transparency and helped share best practices.HE Al-Misnad further elaborated that the key recommendations from these previous sessions have been related to the prevention and criminalisation of actions related to corruption, asset restoration, and facilitating shared legal assistance.These breakthroughs, the ACTA chief stressed, underline a crucial fact: combating corruption cannot yield merit unless there is high political commitment in place, along with effective international co-operation and the concerted efforts of a variety of sectors.He further emphasised the importance of adhering to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, foremost among them respect for state sovereignty, equality of rights, and non-meddling in internal affairs.HE Al-Misnad said that the principles align with the provisions of Article 1 of the UNCAC, which explicitly calls for strengthening measures to prevent and combat corruption, promoting international co-operation and technical assistance, and consolidating integrity, accountability, and true public administration.He stressed that these objectives will be prioritised on the conference agenda, aiming to outline the next phase of the UNCAC's orientation and future.The ACTA chef said that the conference is being held at a critical stage in the fight against corruption, amid increasingly formidable challenges driven by technological advances, the digital space, and cross-border financial instruments.This situation, he said, imposes a shared responsibility to reassess priorities, update joint working mechanisms, and strengthen institutional capacities.HE Al-Misnad added that Qatar's presiding over this session stems from a clear-eyed understanding that combating corruption is not merely a legal or procedural practice, but rather a developmental and ethical pathway that requires collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions, and young segments, which are much counted upon, the president stressed.The opening session saw Qatar assuming the chairmanship, during which HE al-Misnad was elected president of the 11th session by endorsement, succeeding Richard Nephew of the US.During the session, the members of the bureau for the current session of the conference were also elected by acclamation, to assume the positions of vice-presidents of the current session.They are: Naimi Aziz, Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the UN Office in ViennaRovshan Sadegbayli, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Office in ViennaCesar Augusto, Alternate Representative of Brazil to the UN Office in Vienna.Meanwhile, Jose Maria Vastiada, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Spain to the UN Office in Vienna, was elected as Rapporteur.The proposed agenda was also presented, approved, and formally adopted.The opening session was punctuated by a screening of a video that showcased Qatar's efforts in anti-corruption areas, alongside its enduring commitment to backing global efforts thereon, through strengthening multilateral action and laying the groundwork for a global environment grounded on values of justice, integrity, and equality.This is in addition to Qatar's launching of the National Strategy to Enhance Integrity, Transparency, and Prevent Corruption for the years 2025-2030, in a move that underscores its commitment to combating corruption and aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030.