In a monumental stride towards combatting the rampant global issue of corruption, Saudi Arabia, through its Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, has joined hands with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to pioneer the establishment of the Riyadh Secure Platform. This platform serves as a pivotal nexus for the exchange of crucial information among members of the Global Operations Network of Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE), generously backed by a substantial $20 million funding.
Mazen Al-Kahmous, the esteemed head of the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority, affixed his signature to this landmark agreement on behalf of Saudi Arabia, while Ghada Waly, the resolute executive director of UNODC in Vienna, represented the UN body in this significant endeavor.
This collaborative pact symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s acute recognition of corruption as a pervasive transnational malaise, one that eludes eradication without concerted international cooperation. Al-Kahmous underscored the imperative nature of this alliance, emphasizing its alignment with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which mandates direct communication and cooperation mechanisms among agencies dedicated to the anti-corruption cause.
The genesis of this alliance traces back to the inception of the network at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, during the momentous first special session of the United Nations General Assembly dedicated to combating corruption on June 3, 2021. The pivotal role played by Saudi Arabia in birthing the Global Anti-Corruption Network earned accolades from none other than the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, during the inaugural session of the General Assembly.
Subsequently, the United Nations formally embraced the Riyadh Initiative Network during the 9th session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Sharm El-Sheikh on December 17, 2021. This endorsement, conveyed through a resolute resolution, urged member states to actively participate in the network’s endeavors, fostering the exchange of vital information pertaining to criminal investigations and procedures.
Spain assumed the mantle of Chairman for the Network’s Steering Committee, with Saudi Arabia assuming the role of Vice-Chairman, a testament to the shared commitment towards combatting corruption on a global scale.
The burgeoning membership of the Riyadh Initiative Network, comprising over 115 countries and 205 anti-corruption agencies over the past three years, underscores the widespread recognition of its significance. This concerted effort holds the promise of tangible developmental dividends for participating nations, as highlighted by the staggering global cost of corruption, estimated at a staggering $2.6 trillion annually.
The UN resolution championing the adoption of the Riyadh Initiative Network outlined several pivotal provisions, emphasizing the alignment of the global operations network with the overarching “Riyadh Initiative.” Member states are urged to actively engage in information exchange, furthering the network’s objectives of combating corruption.
Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to the UN Convention against Corruption underscores its pivotal role in the global anti-corruption discourse. As a crucial participant in the Conference of States Parties, Saudi Arabia contributes significantly to shaping United Nations resolutions aimed at combatting corruption, promoting integrity, and fostering transparency, thereby solidifying its stature as a vanguard in the fight against corruption on the global stage.
