Proposals from the Integrity Forum Presented to OIC Foreign Ministers
Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity 2025. | Photo credit: Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives
Proposals approved at the Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity 2025 have been submitted to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting.
The international forum, held on 6 and 7 May, was jointly organised by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority of Saudi Arabia (NAZAHA) and the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives. Themed Combating Corruption and Strengthening Integrity in the Tourism Sector, the forum drew participation from over 190 delegates representing more than 50 countries. Attendees included senior government officials, industry experts, and representatives of international organisations.
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Discussions during the forum resulted in a set of proposals focusing on transparency, accountability, and cooperation between countries. These included a recommendation for the signing and ratification of the Makat-ul-Mukarrama Convention, which concerns collaboration among law enforcement bodies in OIC member states to address corruption.
ސަޢުދީ-މޯލްޑިވްސް އިންޓަރނޭޝަނަލް ފޯރަމްގެ ހުށަހެޅުންތައް އޯއައިސީގެ ޚާރިޖީ ވަޒީރުންގެ ބައްދަލުވުމަށް ހުށަހެޅުމަށް އެދެފި https://t.co/MDFtqdFzCM— ACC-MALDIVES (@ACC_Maldives) May 26, 2025
Participants also endorsed a set of ‘high-level principles’ aimed at addressing corruption in the tourism sector. These included measures for greater use of digital tools, data transparency, and coordination among relevant sectors. The forum aligned these with frameworks such as the UN Convention against Corruption.
The forum took note of research conducted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) on corruption in tourism. It supported the creation of best practice guidelines and recommended they be followed up in the next forum.
Delegates also highlighted the role of international networks such as the UNODC’s GlobE Network and Interpol, encouraging broader participation in these platforms in efforts to address sector-specific corruption.
The forum concluded with a proposal to hold the next edition in Morocco. Organisers expressed appreciation to NAZAHA and the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives for their role in the event. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the purpose of submitting the proposals to the OIC is to encourage their integration into member state institutions and inform future anti-corruption measures within the tourism sector.
