6th Conference of States Parties to Arab Anti-Corruption Convention Concludes in Doha

Doha, September 23, 2026 : The 6th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention concluded in Doha on Wednesday, wrapping up three days of deliberations among Arab officials and international partners.

Chaired by HE President of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad, the conference brought together representatives from 21 member states, alongside delegates from regional and international partner organizations.

Discussions focused on comprehensive mechanisms for enhancing integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption frameworks, assessing the implementation of the convention while advancing inter-Arab cooperation and the exchange of institutional expertise.

In his closing address, Al Misnad thanked participating delegations and partners, saying that hosting the conference in Qatar offered a renewed opportunity to affirm that combating corruption is a shared responsibility. He added that strengthening integrity and transparency cannot be achieved through isolated efforts, but rather through cooperation, the exchange of experience, and closer integration among relevant institutions.

He noted that discussions during the session and the accompanying Arab Forum underscored the need to continuously develop corruption-prevention tools and keep pace with institutional and technological shifts. He stressed that the conclusion of this session does not mark the end of efforts, but rather serves as a launchpad for a new phase of joint action — one that requires all parties to sustain the momentum built through the convention, reinforce cooperation mechanisms among states parties, and translate agreements into concrete practices and initiatives.

The ACTA President reaffirmed Qatar's steadfast commitment to supporting joint Arab action, pledging continued collaboration to strengthen institutional capabilities, exchange knowledge, and consolidate the values of accountability and the rule of law. He added that shared Arab values provide a solid foundation for advancing integrity and transparency, stressing that tackling corruption requires institutional, societal, and continuously updated cooperative efforts to meet evolving challenges.

Speaking at the conclusion of the session, Head of the Legal Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States and Head of the Conference Secretariat, Dr. Maha Bakheet, noted that the convention — approved by the joint meeting of Arab Ministers of Interior and Justice in December 2010 and entered into force in June 2013 — underscores the necessity of Arab cooperation in preventing and combating corruption as a transnational phenomenon.

She added that the convention aims to enhance member states' capabilities and mutual cooperation in achieving its objectives, facilitate information exchange among member states and international and regional organizations, and ensure countries remain informed of necessary procedural measures.

Dr. Bakheet noted that the Arab League marks Arab Anti-Corruption Day on December 21 each year, commemorating the date the convention was adopted. She said the League, represented by the Arab Councils of Ministers of Justice and Interior, continues to urge Arab states that have not yet ratified the convention to complete the necessary procedures, noting that 15 countries have ratified it to date.

She also outlined the session's agenda, which covered key tracking items including the implementation of decisions from the 5th session, recommendations from the 3rd and 4th sessions, and reports from open-ended government expert committees, in addition to reviewing draft resolutions such as the Doha Declaration on Strengthening Preventive Measures Against Corruption.

Former 5th Session Chair, Counselor Saeed Shehadeh of Palestine, addressed regional workshops carried out under previous mandates.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a set of outcomes to advance joint Arab action, including the election of its 6th session bureau: HE President of ACTA Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad as President, HE Chairman of Oman's Financial and Administrative Audit Authority Sheikh Ghuson bin Hilal Al Alawi as Vice President, and Algeria's President of the Economic and Financial Criminal Division and representative of the Ministry of Justice, Brahim Boukendakdji, as Rapporteur.

Source: QNA