Muscat: On Monday, May 6, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the State Audit Institution, actively participated in the Arab Forum titled 'Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts (Reality and Challenges)', which was organized by the League of Arab States in Cairo at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Cairo Hotel.
The forum witnessed a significant international presence, with the participation of anti-corruption agencies from various States parties to the Convention. Additionally, representatives from Supreme Audit and Accounting Institutions, international organizations, civil society institutions, universities, and professional institutions were also in attendance.
Leading the delegation from the Sultanate of Oman was Sheikh Ghuson bin Hilal Al Alawi, Chairman of the State Audit Institution, accompanied by a team of specialists from the Institution.
The Arab Forum program, centered around the theme of Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts (Reality and Challenges), featured three main sessions. The first session focused on evaluating the impact of national anti-corruption strategies and fostering dialogue and cooperation among relevant parties in the Arab States. It provided a platform for exchanging views on the challenges faced by States parties to the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention in assessing the effectiveness of their national strategies in preventing and combating corruption. The session also explored international perspectives and drew insights from comparative experiences in both Arab and foreign States.
The second session of the forum, titled “The Use of Technology in Preventing and Combating Corruption,” delved into the role and significance of technology in reporting corruption, conducting research and investigations on corruption crimes. It also emphasized the importance of digitization in enhancing services for citizens, facilitating state oversight, and ensuring the integrity of service provision and utilization.
During the Arab Forum's third and last session, the focus was on enhancing the involvement of the private sector in the fight against corruption in the Arab States. The session examined how the State can engage the private sector in combating corruption, as well as the obstacles faced by governments in promoting and assessing companies' anti-corruption compliance programs. Additionally, the session explored successful approaches in offering incentives to encourage the private sector's commitment to this cause and its contribution to creating a sustainable business environment.
