Manama: Bahrain's delegation, led by Lieutenant General Adel bin Khalifa Al Fadhel, Deputy Minister of Interior, participated in the first Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity in the Tourism Sector, held in the Maldives. The forum is jointly organised by Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority and the Maldives' Anti-Corruption Commission, in cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Deputy Interior Minister highlighted Bahrain's strong commitment to upholding the values of integrity and the principles of transparency. He stressed the importance of enhancing international cooperation in combating corruption within the tourism sector, in support of sustainable development goals and national economic growth. The Deputy Interior Minister noted that Bahrain places a strong focus on the tourism sector as a key driver of economic and social development.
The Deputy Interior Minister elaborated on Bahrain's key initiatives to promote integrity, including the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks, intensified public awareness campaigns, and strengthened partnerships with the private sector and civil society. He emphasized the necessity of national, regional, and international collaboration to counter corruption. This includes the exchange of expertise and best practices and support in capacity-building efforts to establish a transparent and sustainable tourism environment.
Furthermore, he underscored Bahrain's support for all regional and international initiatives aimed at promoting integrity and combating corruption, commending the OIC and its member states for their efforts. He reiterated Bahrain's commitment to continued cooperation in pursuit of shared goals in this domain.
The forum is held on the sidelines of the 50th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies for 2024. It reflects the commitment of member states to strengthening international cooperation and reinforcing integrity and transparency, particularly in vital economic sectors such as tourism.
The forum addresses a range of topics, including transparency and good governance in the tourism sector, mechanisms for combating corruption, and ways to enhance international partnerships and knowledge exchange among member states and international and regional organisations.