The Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network (ACINET) welcomed the accession of the Independent National Commission for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (CNIPLC) of the Republic of Djibouti, effective 9 March 2026, extending its reach towards advancing anti-corruption and integrity across the Arab region.

The CNIPLC is an independent administrative authority vested with legal personality and financial autonomy. Established in 2013 pursuant to Law No. 03/AN/13/7th L of 16 July 2013, the Commission was mandated to reinforce the national legislative and institutional framework for preventing and combating corruption. In carrying out its functions, the CNIPLC undertakes investigations and analytical studies on the causes and manifestations of corruption, periodically reviews relevant legal and administrative instruments, and leads awareness-raising initiatives targeting public institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The Commission also plays a central role in promoting intersectoral coordination and enhancing cooperation with national, regional, and international anti-corruption stakeholders.

With the accession of the CNIPLC, ACINET’s membership now comprises fifty-four (54) ministries and specialized agencies from twenty (20) Arab countries, in addition to two observer members from Brazil and Malaysia, and the “Non-Governmental Group,” which includes twenty-five (25) independent civil society organizations from across the Arab region.

On this occasion, the Chair of the CNIPLC, Ms. Badriya Sheikh Ibrahim, stated: “We are pleased to join this esteemed platform, which plays a pivotal role in fostering cooperation on integrity and transparency across the Arab region. We look forward to engaging actively in the Network’s initiatives and contributing substantively to the realization of its objectives.”

Furthermore, the Chair of ACINET, Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Lami, welcomed the accession of the CNIPLC, affirming that it strengthens cooperation with the Republic of Djibouti and reinforce the Network’s role as a regional platform for capacity development, policy dialogue, and information exchange since its establishment in 2008.

On the side of the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (CoSP11) in Doha, the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network (ACINET) convened its tenth meeting on 18 December 2025, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The meeting brought together more than 60 participants, including governmental and non-governmental members of the Network, as well as representatives of several partner countries, among them representatives of the Mecanismo Nacional Anticorrupção of Portugal, in addition to a number of partner organizations, including the International Anti-Corruption Academy.

The meeting enabled participants to reflect on the progress of CoSP11 deliberations; exchange views on priorities for regional and country-level cooperation; and identify opportunities to strengthen cross-border partnerships. It also featured a focus on entry points and strategies for joining forces to promote integrity in recovery and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected settings.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, ACINET Chair and Head of Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity, who congratulated the State of Qatar on its National Day observed on 18 December and commended its hospitality and the high level of organization for CoSP11. He welcomed the accession of Oman’s State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority and Somalia’s Office of the Auditor General to ACINET, highlighting that this membership would further reinforce collective efforts and broaden the scope of regional cooperation.

Dr. Al-Lami also highlighted updates on the work of the Network, including the 2024 regional meeting outcomes and the formation of six specialized regional expert groups: three sectoral groups (health, education, public transport) and three thematic groups focusing on safeguarding the development of legal texts against corruption risks, ethics in public office, and cross-border cooperation in corruption investigations.

Ms. Elina Silen, UNDP Regional Programme Manager, reaffirmed UNDP’s continued support for integrity and anti-corruption at the regional level, noting their strategic priority within the 2026–2029 regional programme.

Participants identified priority areas for the upcoming period, including leveraging technology and artificial intelligence in anti-corruption, enhancing transparency in financial and humanitarian assistance, safeguarding electoral integrity, and strengthening civil society’s role in sectoral corruption risk management through capacity development.

This meeting reaffirms ACINET’s commitment, since its establishment in 2008, to serve as a regional platform for capacity building, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange—supporting coordinated regional action to address corruption risks and promote sustainable recovery and development across the Arab region.

Amman - The Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission, a member of the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network, announced today the results of the second cycle (2024 and 2025) of the National Integrity Index. The announcement was made during a ceremony organized in collaboration with the Rased Center, the Rashid Organization for Integrity and Transparency, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The index assessed 119 government entities, including ministries, directorates, public institutions, universities, and public and educational hospitals. The evaluation followed a rigorous six-stage methodology, involving 19 evaluators from the Commission and 15 external experts. The assessment process included completing a compliance matrix for national integrity standards, institutional integrity surveys, staff self-assessments, and surveys of service recipients

Significant Improvement in Compliance with National Integrity Standards

The results demonstrated a significant improvement in adherence to national integrity standards compared to the first cycle, with:

• Public universities achieving the highest improvement at 16.58%
• Public and educational hospitals improving by 13.52%
• Ministries improving by 8.6%
• Directorates and public institutions improving by 6.5%

During the ceremony, attended by Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdel Monem Al-Odat on behalf of the Prime Minister, Dr. Muhannad Hijazi, Chairman of the Commission, highlighted that the National Integrity Index represents “a milestone in promoting good governance and elevating integrity standards, reflecting Jordan’s commitment to justice, equality, and the rule of law.” He emphasized that the Index is not merely a competitive ranking, but a strategic tool to enhance public sector efficiency and drive administrative and economic modernization

Dr. Hijazi also underscored that integrity is not merely data or indicators, but a culture to be cultivated, a system to be built, and an impact to be measured. He highlighted that the value of the index lies in translating results into practical policies that positively affect citizens’ lives and motivate institutions to build inherently corruption-resistant organizational environments.

Recognition of Top-Performing Entities

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Prime Minister’s representative and the Chairman of the Commission honored the top-performing entities in the 2024–2025 National Integrity Index. Among directorates and public institutions, the Public Tenders Department ranked first, followed by the Jordan Customs Department second and the Securities Depository Center in third. In the public universities category, the Jordan University of Science and Technology ranked first, the German Jordanian University second, and the University of Jordan third. For public and educational hospitals, Al-Bashir Hospital took first place, Al-Iman Governmental Hospital – Ajloun came second, and King Abdullah University Hospital placed third.

In conclusion, the Commission emphasized that these results represent a key milestone in Jordan’s ongoing efforts to promote smart, transparent governance and to build a sustainable administrative model that strengthens integrity and transparency across all state institutions.

The Federal Commission of Integrity of the Republic of Iraq and the National Authority for Probity, Prevention, and the Fight against Corruption of the Kingdom of Morocco signed this week a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of anti-corruption and integrity. The agreement reflects their  commitment to deepening bilateral relations in line with national frameworks and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

The memorandum was signed by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, President of the Federal Commission of Integrity and Chair of the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network (ACINET), and Mr. Mohammed Benalilou, President of the National Authority for Probity, Prevention, and the Fight against Corruption, member of the Network. The signing took place during an official visit of the Iraqi delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco from 13 to 15 October 2025, within the framework of strengthening commitment to regional and international standards and advancing national efforts to promote cooperation in integrity, anti-corruption, and the recovery of assets and funds.

During the high-level meeting co-chaired by the heads of the two authorities, the parties agreed to deepen technical cooperation, exchange expertise, develop institutional capacities, and enhance research. They also agreed to produce joint publications and exchange information, data, and statistics related to corruption trends and preventive mechanisms.

During the visit, Dr. Al-Lami met with H.E. Mr. Abdellatif Wehbi, Moroccan Minister of Justice, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly to facilitate procedures related to the lifting of freezes on Iraqi funds held under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The two sides agreed to continue coordination between the Moroccan Ministry of Justice — a member of ACINET — and the relevant Iraqi authorities within established legal and international frameworks.

Dr. Al-Lami also met with Mr. Mohamed Abdennabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation and President Delegate of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, to explore ways to strengthen judicial cooperation and the exchange of experience in cases of international scope. Mr. Abdennabaoui presented an overview of Morocco’s judicial experience, ongoing reforms, and future aspirations, while Dr. Al-Lami outlined the legal and institutional framework of Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity and Iraq’s continued efforts in preventing and combating corruption.

In addition, Dr. Al-Lami met with Mr. Hicham Al-Belaoui, President of the Public Prosecution of Morocco, to discuss enhancing cooperation in the recovery of stolen assets and illicitly transferred funds. Mr. Al-Belaoui commended Iraq’s efforts in managing complex cases related to asset recovery and the repatriation of suspects, expressing the readiness of the Public Prosecution to provide legal and technical support to the relevant Iraqi authorities.

The delegation concluded its visit with a meeting with H.E. Ms. Zineb El-Adaoui, First President of the Cour des comptes, who expressed her appreciation for the visit of the Iraqi delegation and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation with the Iraqi Commission of Integrity. The two sides agreed on practical steps to enhance collaboration in financial auditing, oversight, public fund protection, and the development of institutional and technical cooperation mechanisms.

This visit comes within the broader context of Iraq’s ongoing efforts in asset recovery and the upcoming regional meeting of the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network (ACINET), planned to be held in Doha in December 2025, during the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (CoSP). The meeting, hosted under the chairmanship of the Republic of Iraq and supported by the UNDP Regional Hub, will focus on exchanging good practices and lessons learned in cross-border cooperation among Arab countries in countering corruption — including information exchange, joint investigations, extradition, and asset recovery — as well as strengthening institutional and technical coordination to advance integrity and good governance across the region.

The Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) of the State of Qatar, member of ACINET, launches the National Strategy for Enhancing Integrity, Transparency, and Preventing Corruption (2025 till 2030) during a national event held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mr. Hamad bin Nasser Al-Misnad, President of ACTA, alongside ministers, senior officials, and representatives from governmental and private sector entities.

The launch of this strategy is part of Qatar’s continued commitment to strengthening integrity, transparency, and accountability in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s successive national development strategies, recently the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). The launch occurs during the preparatory period for hosting the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), scheduled to take place in Doha in December 2025.

The launch of this strategy is part of national efforts to strengthen the integrity and transparency, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and successive national development strategies, particularly the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). It also aims to contribute to enhancing Qatar’s regional and international standing. The launch coincides with Qatar’s preparations to host the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, scheduled to be held in Doha in December 2025

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Mr. Hamad bin Nasser Al-Misnad emphasized that:"The strategy is grounded in a comprehensive national vision that recognizes integrity not as an administrative addition but as a national imperative, a developmental necessity, and an ethical foundation that strengthens public trust in institutions and promotes a culture of responsible governance in accordance with international standards."

The strategy adopts a preventive approach, focusing on strengthening the values of integrity, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness as fundamental pillars for preventing all forms and manifestations of corruption across all levels—whether in the public or private sectors, or within the broader societal fabric. It emphasizes the development of policies, legislation, and institutional mechanisms, raising public awareness, and enhancing regional and international cooperation. Particular attention is given to the role of youth in promoting a culture of integrity and building an informed public that supports anti-corruption efforts.

The strategy aims to achieve tangible, measurable, and assessable results that contribute to improving institutional performance, enhancing the quality of public services, and building local and international confidence in Qatar’s business and investment environment. It comprises 78 national projects implemented by 16 primary entities, with the support of 35 additional entities, under the supervision and follow-up of ACTA.

The development of the strategy also followed a participatory approach, based on close coordination with national stakeholders, represented by the National Team for the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, with view to ensuring that national priorities are aligned with international standards and frameworks.

The launch event included a presentation highlighting the main components and objectives of the strategy, followed by an interactive discussion on its core elements, as well as key national and international experiences and practices related to integrity, transparency, and corruption prevention.

The International Day for the Right to Access Information, established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 September, serves as an annual occasion to renew the global commitment to this right and highlight its role as a catalyst for promoting human rights, preventing and countering corruption, and supporting efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This right goes beyond being a legal or procedural tool, serving instead as a mechanism to strengthen trust between citizens and state institutions, empower citizens to actively participate in public affairs, and establish an institutional and societal culture of transparency and accountability. From this perspective, the right to access information is a fundamental component of the integrity and anti-corruption framework, as emphasized in Article 10 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Development of the Right to Access Information in the Arab Region

Over the past decade, the Arab region has witnessed significant progress in establishing the right to access information, reflected in the adoption of specialized legislation and the development of institutional mechanisms to monitor implementation, demonstrating growing awareness at both institutional and societal levels. To date, nine Arab countries have legal frameworks guaranteeing the right to access information, although the extent of alignment with Article 10 of UNCAC and the effectiveness of implementation vary. These countries include Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, and Sudan. Meanwhile, several other countries, such as Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Palestine, and Libya, are still working toward enacting specialized legislation to operationalize this right.

Jordan as an Example

Jordan is among the first Arab countries to enact legislation on the right to access information, initially in 2007 and recently amended in 2024 to better align with Article 10 of UNCAC. This advancement is particularly noteworthy as it represents the outcome of a unique partnership between government entities, civil society, and youth. Specifically, a youth group within the regional “Integrity Guardians” network, supported by the UNDP Regional Hub in the Arab states, contributed reform recommendations and participated in strategic dialogues with government officials to emphasize the importance of the reform and ensure that citizens could exercise their right to access information, culminating in a royal directive to review and amend the law.

A Brief Overview of Implementation in the Arab Region

In Lebanon, efforts to implement the law issued in 2017 and amended in 2021 continue within a collaboration between public administrations and civil society. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), a member of the network, handles complaints, appeals, and requests related to the law and issues the relevant decisions, in addition to monitoring the compliance of public administrations and publishing periodic reports (2023 report). The civil society initiative “Gherbal”, member of the non-governmental group of the network, also plays a key role in monitoring implementation and issuing regular reports documenting levels of compliance. Furthermore, several judicial decisions have obliged public administrations to respond to information requests, marking an unprecedented step in strengthening the effectiveness of this right. Nevertheless, reports indicate ongoing challenges related to administrative understanding of the law, compliance levels, and public awareness of their rights.

In Kuwait, the Anti-Corruption Authority “Nazaha” continues to monitor the implementation of the Access to Information Law issued in 2020, tracking compliance, producing documentation reports, and conducting awareness programs in cooperation with civil society and media sectors. Additionally, Kuwait recently completed an independent assessment of results and lessons learned from implementing the National Strategy for Integrity and Anti-Corruption (2019–2025), highlighting key challenges in applying the right to access information and informing the future strategic direction.

On the other side, the Tunisian government dissolved the independent Access to Information Authority in August 2025 and reintegrated its staff into the government, which negatively affects implementation effectiveness. Meanwhile, in Yemen and Sudan, the law remains largely unenforced due to the ongoing conflict.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the varying efforts of Arab countries, there is an urgent need to invest in effective implementation, strengthen the independence and efficiency of oversight bodies, and expand partnerships with civil society, media, and youth. These partnerships ensure that the right to access information is not treated as a legal luxury but recognized as a strategic lever to protect human rights, prevent and combat corruption, and accelerate sustainable development.

Baghdad, 23 September 2025 - In collaboration with the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network, the Federal Commission of Integrity of the Republic of Iraq organized a symposium titled “Integrated Efforts to Promote Integrity”, where it brought together more than forty civil society organizations, alongside representatives from the private sector, the Higher Youth Council, and trade unions.

The symposium is part of the Commission’s efforts to advance integrity and anti-corruption in the country through a participatory and inclusive approach that builds bridges of cooperation among the various components of the state and society. It also coincides with the development of Iraq’s new National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025–2030.

In the opening, Mr. Ayman Salman, Director General of the Department of Cooperation with Non-Government Actors within the commission, emphasized the importance of forging partnerships with all stakeholders in driving national efforts, in line with Iraq’s committments under the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The Commission also emphasized aligning anti-corruption efforts with national development priorities, particularly private sector development, youth empowerement and engagement, and the active engagement of civil society. This strategic orientation builds upon the recommendations of the regional workshop which ACINET organized in partnership with UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab states with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), that was held in Amman on 26-28 May 2025 titled "Harnessing the Power of Data to Promote the Anti-Corruption and Development Nexus".

A dedicated session introduced ACINET, during which Mr. Anouar Ben Khalifa, Senior Anti-Corruption Expert with the network, presented its key milestones and lessons learned from cumulative efforts. He highlighted ACINET’s role in providing a platform for dialogue between governmental and non-governmental actors, building specialized capacities, thereby enabling its members to contribute effectively to national integrity and anti-corruption efforts.

The symposium also included three thematic sessions. The first focused on private sector development, with the Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce highlighting the importance of strengthening partnerships and outlining, from their perspective, the linkages between anti-corruption, enhanced transparency, and an enabling investment climate. The second session addressed youth empowerement and engagement, where the Higher Youth Council emphasized the role youth can play in implementing initiatives, while stressing the need to build their capacities for meaningful contribution. The third session focused on civil society, where the Al-Nahrain Foundation for Transparency and Integrity highlighted the role of civil society organizations in advancing social accountability through monitoring the performance of anti-corruption commissions, and in contributing to the formulation of relevant public policies, through institutionalized mechanisms of consultation and constructive dialogue with diverse stakeholders.

The Jordanian capital, Amman, hosted the High-Level Regional Conference on Integrity in the Transport Sector in the Arab Region: Risks, Solutions, and the Roles of Stakeholders on 23 and 24 April 2025, under the esteemed Patronage of HE Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan. The event was jointly organized by the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The conference, the first of its kind in the Arab region, provided an advanced regional platform to address the governance challenges of the transport sector from the perspective of corruption risks and the urgent need to enhance integrity and transparency. Over 150 high-level participants took part, including heads of integrity, oversight, and anti-corruption agencies; deputy ministers and director generals from ministries of transport; legislators; experts; civil society and private sector representatives; as well as senior officials from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the League of Arab States, with official delegations from 18 Arab countries.

This event is part of a series of regional conferences supported by UNDP in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Arab Anti-Corruption and Integrity Network (ACINET). These conferences adopt a sectoral approach to tackling corruption in key areas such as health, education, water, energy, and transport. They aim to build common ground among stakeholders and develop concrete tools to promote transparency, accountability, participation, and rule of law in each sector, aligned with international standards and adapted to national contexts. The process involves promoting innovative policies, simplifying procedures, publishing data, adopting digital technologies, training professionals, establishing transparent partnerships with the private sector, and engaging civil society and professional media.

The conference examined the latest developments in corruption risk management in the transport sector, linking integrity efforts to sustainable development goals, economic growth, environmental protection, and public service delivery. It also launched a series of new regional initiatives to support improved governance and integrity in the transport sector, aiming to enhance its efficiency, effectiveness, and attractiveness for public and private investments, while contributing to regional economic integration and global market access.

The conference concluded with a set of strategic recommendations, most notably emphasizing that integrity in the transport sector is a fundamental pillar for improving its responsiveness to socio-economic needs, operational efficiency, sustainability, public trust, and investment readiness. Participants called for greater transparency in decision-making and financial management, with systems in place to proactively disclose information using digital technologies and to ensure contract transparency at all stages.

Further recommendations included the strengthening partnerships between ministries of transport and anti-corruption, oversight, and civil society organizations, as well as the private sector. The conference also emphasized the importance of empowering stakeholders at all levels – including municipalities – to engage in regular consultations on transport infrastructure and service development, building bridges with environmental and technology stakeholders, and enabling NGOs to conduct on-the-ground monitoring of projects and report violations.

The final version of the recommendations is expected to be adopted during the week following the conclusion of the conference and will be disseminated to inform national and regional policy development.