Corruption poses a global threat due to the transnational nature of its crimes. Efforts to combat it are not limited to the national level but require the cooperation of the international community as a whole. For its part, the State of Kuwait has been keen to strengthen the principle of cooperation and participation with states, as well as regional and international organizations, in the areas of combating corruption. Since its ratification, the State of Kuwait has been committed to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

This commitment is manifested in the establishment of the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). As Nazaha is the body concerned with implementing the UNCAC in accordance with its Establishment Law No. 2 of 2016, it pays great attention to international presence. Nazaha promotes the efforts of the State of Kuwait in upholding integrity and combating corruption in international forums and conferences. It also participates in these events to exchange expertise and experiences with the aim of developing and improving current practices in Kuwait.

Perhaps one of the most prominent examples of international participation by Nazaha is its active role in the sessions of the Conference of the States Parties to the UNCAC. This conference is considered the largest international meeting against corruption and includes the participation of most countries in the world. In this important event, Nazaha showcases the latest efforts of the State of Kuwait in promoting integrity and combating corruption before the international community, covering legislative, political, and procedural developments.

It additionally holds side events and bilateral meetings to discuss ways of enhancing joint cooperation in preventing and combating corruption. Furthermore, Nazaha is keen to attend various other meetings at the regional level. These include the meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Anti-Corruption in the GCC States and the meetings of the Conference of the States Parties to the Arab Convention against Corruption. Nazaha also partook in the preparatory meetings for the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention of the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Anti- Corruption Law Enforcement Cooperation, as this convention is expected to be signed soon.

Moreover, Nazaha works to strengthen its relationships with counterpart bodies concerned with combating corruption at the Gulf, regional, and international levels. It maintains effective channels of communication and cooperates through organizing joint visits, training programs, sharing research, and exchanging information on corruption issues. On the national level, Nazaha continues to fulfill its mandate by receiving, investigating, and referring reports and complaints of corruption offenses to the Public Prosecutor, while also providing protection for whistleblowers.

Additionally, Nazaha receives financial disclosure statements from individuals subject to its law and examines them to detect cases of illicit enrichment. Nazaha is also committed to raising society’s awareness of the risks and negative impacts of corruption. Nazaha continues to implement the Kuwait Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (2019-2024), launched in 2019 in the presence of His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The strategy, developed in cooperation with the United Nations, is based on four main pillars: the Public Sector, the Private Sector, Society, and Specialized Bodies.

It contains 13 priorities and 47 initiatives and is actively implemented and monitored by all concerned bodies in Kuwait. For further information on the latest developments regarding its work, Nazaha invites you to visit its website (www.nazaha.gov.kw) or to call directly on 118. Dhari Buyabes is the Head of the International Organizations and Conferences at Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha).

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