VIENNA: Saudi Arabia has taken on the presidency of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network). This marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting corruption globally. The presidency was formally handed over by Spain during a ceremony held at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
Nasser Abaalkhail, Saudi Arabia’s deputy for international collaboration at the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), was appointed as the chairman of the GlobE Network’s steering committee. Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil’s national solicitor for international affairs, was named vice chair.
Saudi Arabia’s election as the chair of the GlobE Network was unanimously approved during a high-level meeting in Beijing, China, in 2024. This election highlights the international community’s recognition of Saudi Arabia’s dedicated efforts to combat corruption.
The GlobE Network, established in 2021, brings together over 229 law enforcement agencies from 124 countries. It also includes numerous international organizations with a shared goal of tackling corruption and promoting transparency.
As the new chair, Abaalkhail emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing collaboration among member states in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption. One of the key objectives is to improve international cooperation in asset recovery. Additionally, they aim to develop a secure communication platform for more efficient information exchange among member states.
Abaalkhail also outlined Saudi Arabia’s plans to create new strategies for tracking illicit funds and refining asset recovery processes. They aim to address emerging challenges in anti-corruption efforts. These initiatives aim to facilitate more effective cross-border investigations and strengthen the global fight against corruption.
The GlobE Network has already shown its impact by facilitating collaboration between countries to tackle cross-border corruption. Recent meetings have included discussions on investigations into large-scale fraud, asset recovery efforts, and the successful tracking of offshore assets gained through corruption.
Nazaha, Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption authority, has made significant strides in its fight against corruption since its establishment in 2016. In December 2024, it arrested 145 individuals, including government employees, on charges such as bribery and abuse of authority. This further solidifies the Kingdom’s role as a leader in global anti-corruption efforts.
