Nazaha Leads Global Anti-Corruption Talks in Vienna

Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous met in Vienna with delegations from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) to review progress on Nazaha’s Global Initiative on the Measurement of Corruption and plan for the second Global Conference on Corruption Measurement, scheduled for late 2025 at UNDP headquarters in New York. The meetings underscore Saudi Arabia’s leadership in international anti-corruption efforts and its commitment to fostering global cooperation under Vision 2030.

Context and Background

The Global Initiative on the Measurement of Corruption was launched by Nazaha to develop a universal framework for assessing corruption levels objectively. In 2023, the first Global Conference on Corruption Measurement, held at UNODC headquarters in Vienna, produced the “Vienna Principles for the Global Framework on the Measurement of Corruption,” a set of guidelines supported by Saudi Arabia. This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s proactive stance in global governance and its dedication to transparency, a core pillar of Vision 2030.

Key Details

During the Vienna meetings, President Al-Kahmous engaged with UNODC’s Brigitte Strobel, Chief of the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, and Angela Me, Chief of Research and Trend Analysis, to discuss the implementation of the Vienna Principles and the upcoming conference. Separate discussions with UNDP’s Sarah Lister, Director of Governance, Anga R. Timilsina, Global Program Advisor on Anti-corruption, and Aida Arutyunova, Manager of the Anti-Corruption Program, focused on collaborative efforts to refine the measurement index. Additionally, talks with IACA’s Dean Slagjana Taseva, Petra Susak, Director of General Affairs, and anti-corruption expert Hamad Al-Subaie, explored capacity-building and training opportunities.

The second Global Conference on Corruption Measurement, set for the fourth quarter of 2025 in New York, will present a comprehensive global corruption index. This index, developed by Nazaha in partnership with international organizations, aims to be scientifically rigorous and adaptable to diverse political and legal systems, ensuring fairness and objectivity.

Implications and Impact

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in this initiative enhances international efforts to combat corruption, promoting transparency and accountability worldwide. By spearheading the development of a measurement index, the Kingdom fosters a collaborative approach that respects national contexts, potentially setting a new standard for global anti-corruption practices. This aligns with Vision 2030’s emphasis on good governance and institutional integrity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a responsible global actor.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This initiative directly supports Vision 2030’s objectives of enhancing government effectiveness, transparency, and international cooperation. Through Nazaha’s efforts, Saudi Arabia not only strengthens its domestic anti-corruption framework but also contributes to global knowledge-sharing and sustainable development, positioning itself as a leader in the fight against corruption.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the main purpose of Nazaha’s Global Initiative on the Measurement of Corruption?

A1. The initiative aims to develop a universal, objective framework for measuring corruption across countries, respecting diverse legal and political systems, and promoting transparency globally.

Q2. Who represented the UNODC in the Vienna meeting?

A2. Brigitte Strobel, Chief of the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch, and Angela Me, Chief of Research and Trend Analysis, represented UNODC.

Q3. What was the outcome of the first Global Conference on Corruption Measurement?

A3. The conference launched the “Vienna Principles for the Global Framework on the Measurement of Corruption,” setting guidelines for objective corruption measurement.

Q4. When and where will the second Global Conference on Corruption Measurement take place?

A4. It is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 at UNDP headquarters in New York.

Q5. How does Saudi Arabia benefit from leading this global anti-corruption initiative?

A5. It enhances Saudi Arabia’s international standing, aligns with Vision 2030’s good governance goals, and fosters global cooperation against corruption.

Q6. What is the role of the UNDP in this initiative?

A6. UNDP provides governance expertise and support for developing the measurement index and organizing the upcoming conference.

Q7. Who led the IACA delegation at the meeting?

A7. Dean Slagjana Taseva led the IACA delegation, accompanied by Petra Susak and Hamad Al-Subaie.

Q8. What is the significance of the Vienna Principles?

A8. They establish a globally accepted framework for corruption measurement, ensuring objectivity and adaptability to different national contexts.

Q9. How will the global corruption index be used?

A9. It will provide a comparative tool for countries to assess and improve anti-corruption efforts based on scientific data.

Q10. What other international organizations partner with Nazaha?

A10. Nazaha partners with UNODC, UNDP, and IACA, among others, to advance global anti-corruption measures.

Q11. Why is Saudi Arabia actively involved in global anti-corruption efforts?

A11. Saudi Arabia is committed to transparency and integrity, core values of Vision 2030, and seeks to lead by example in international governance.

Q12. What topics were discussed with the UNDP delegation?

A12. Discussions focused on collaborative efforts to develop the corruption measurement index and preparations for the 2025 conference.

Q13. How does the initiative respect diverse political systems?

A13. The index considers each country’s unique legal and political context, ensuring fair and objective assessment without bias.

Q14. What is Nazaha’s role in Vision 2030?

A14. Nazaha promotes anti-corruption and transparency, key pillars of Vision 2030, enhancing government effectiveness and accountability.

Q15. What did the first conference achieve besides the Vienna Principles?

A15. It established a global network of anti-corruption experts and set the stage for developing a measurement index.

Q16. How can countries participate in the second conference?

A16. Countries can engage through UNODC, UNDP, and Nazaha channels, contributing to discussions on the index and best practices.

Q17. What is the expected impact of the global corruption index?

A17. It will provide reliable data to inform policies, enhance transparency, and foster international cooperation against corruption.

Q18. How does IACA contribute to this initiative?

A18. IACA offers expertise in anti-corruption education and training, supporting capacity-building for effective measurement.

Q19. What are the next steps after the Vienna meetings?

A19. Nazaha and partners will refine the measurement index, prepare for the 2025 conference, and expand international engagement.

Q20. How does this initiative reflect Saudi Arabia’s global leadership?

A20. It demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in addressing global challenges, promoting transparency, and fostering multilateral cooperation under Vision 2030.

---