Winners of first GCC anti-corruption research and studies competition honoured

Doha, The heads of the Gulf anti-corruption authorities honoured the winners of the first GCC competition for research and studies focused on integrity protection and anti-corruption. The award ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee on Anti-Corruption. The initiative was introduced by the Gulf anti-corruption agencies in line with the directives of the GCC leaders. The recognition underscores the importance of combating corruption and its impact on sustainable development, most recently highlighted in the Al Ula Declaration of 2021. The declaration emphasised on strengthening governance, transparency, accountability and anti-corruption through joint Gulf efforts. It also referred to agreements within the G20 and the Riyadh Initiative on cross-border corruption investigations and prosecutions, recognising corruption's significant impact on economic growth, sustainable development, and mutual trust between governments and their people. On behalf of the Se cretary-General of the GCC, Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, Assistant Secretary-General of the GCC for Legislative and Legal Affairs, delivered a speech highlighting the competition's contribution to advancing research and scientific studies. He emphasised the importance of encouraging GCC citizens to actively promote anti-corruption efforts, aiming to further advance a distinctive cultural and educational environment to protect society from the risks and consequences of corruption. The initiative also seeks to enhance the GCC's research and academic standing at international, regional, and national levels, encouraging research and professional development on anti-corruption. Source: Bahrain News Agency