Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
VIENNA: Saudi Arabia, through its Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), has officially assumed the presidency of Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network).
Spain handed over to the Kingdom the leadership of the network during a ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.
Nasser Aba Al-Khail, Nazaha's deputy for international collaboration, was installed as chairman of the committee, with Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil's national solicitor for international affairs, as vice chair.
Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the GlobE Network's Steering Committee for the 2025–2027 term during a high-level meeting last year in Beijing, China.
Its election to lead the international network underscores member states' recognition of the Kingdom's commitment to fighting corruption.
Established in 2021, GlobE Network includes more than 229 law enforcement agencies from over 124 countries, as well as numerous international organizations.
Al-Khail emphasized that Saudi Arabia aims to enhance collaboration among member states to combat corruption in alignment with the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
As chair of the network, Saudi Arabia "seeks to create new strategies for asset recovery and initiate a secure communication platform to facilitate quicker and more efficient information exchange among member states," Al-Khail said in a statement carried by SPA.
"This will enhance international cooperation and empower governments to tackle emerging challenges in combating corruption, refine asset recovery processes, and more effectively trace illicit funds across borders,' he said.
Since its creation, the network has had a positive impact on the efforts of member to combat cross-border corruption.
During a recent meeting of the network, representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, China, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and Indonesia shared insights on various cross-border investigations, including joint efforts to uncover embezzlement of EU grant funds, the use of the Network's Secure Communication Platform (SCP) to advance investigations as well as operations targeting large-scale VAT fraud.
Presenters also highlighted examples of swift action in asset recovery, successful extraditions, and effective collaboration between agencies to track and freeze offshore assets obtained through corruption, according to the network's official site.
For its part, the Nazaha had made great strides in combatting corruption in the Kingdom since its creation in 2016. During the month of December 2024 alone, the authority have arrested 145 citizens and residents — among them government employees — accused of various crimes such as bribery and abuse of authority.
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