The Forum on Integrity in the Tourism Sector Concludes with Recommendations to Strengthen International Cooperation in Combating Corruption.

Malé (UNA) – Participants in the First International Forum on Promoting Integrity in the Tourism Sector emphasized the importance of the Makkah Convention on Cooperation between Law Enforcement Authorities in Combating Corruption among OIC Member States.

This came in the set of recommendations issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of the forum, which was held in Malé, Maldives, on 6–7 May 2025. The event was organized by Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Maldives, and in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with the participation of more than 190 delegates from over 50 countries, representing relevant government agencies and international and regional organizations.

Participants stressed the need for OIC Member States that have not yet signed the Convention to do so promptly, and urged those that have not ratified it to complete the ratification process to ensure its entry into force and effective implementation.

Participants welcomed the adoption of the High-Level Principles on Promoting Integrity and Combating Corruption in the Tourism Sector, which aim to guide coordinated and effective efforts, enhance the use of information and communication technologies, and increase transparency and cooperation among relevant stakeholders, while also supporting the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and other related instruments.

The participants recommended the dissemination of the High-Level Principles in relevant international and regional forums, including those under the United Nations system, in order to contribute to strengthening the global framework for combating corruption in the tourism sector.

They also welcomed the ongoing efforts to compile good practices in promoting integrity and combating corruption in tourism, and called on the next edition of the Forum to develop a Handbook of Best Practices in this field.

Participants also recommended continuing efforts in the area of international cooperation among law enforcement authorities responsible for combating corruption, in order to address transnational corruption. They urged countries to engage with existing relevant networks, such as the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL.

They called on the GlobE Network to enhance its efforts in tackling corruption in the tourism sector by collecting and sharing best practices and providing practical, actionable solutions to address challenges.

Forum participants further encouraged countries to cooperate with relevant UN bodies and experts to continue advancing the measurement of corruption and assessing the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, including in the tourism sector. They expressed support for relevant global initiatives and encouraged the application of the Vienna Principles for a Global Measurement Framework for Corruption, where appropriate, to improve accuracy, reliability, and impact.

‏Participants also encouraged countries to attend and engage in future forums, building on the success of the First Global Conference on Measuring Corruption, held under the theme “Harnessing Data to Improve Corruption Measurement.”

‏They called for enhanced support for tourism across OIC Member States to help achieve sustainable tourism growth, and urged OIC countries to convene another session of this forum to continue sharing successful experiences and advancing progress in this field.

‏The participants expressed their sincere appreciation to the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Maldives for their efforts and contributions in organizing and ensuring the success of this forum.

It is worth noting that the forum was held in implementation of the resolutions adopted during the 50th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities held in 2024, as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating corruption and upholding the principles of integrity and transparency in vital sectors, particularly the tourism sector.

The forum featured a number of sessions, panel discussions, and presentations focusing on key corruption challenges in the tourism sector, as well as national and international efforts to promote transparency and strengthen integrity principles.

The forum also issued the High-Level Principles on Combating Corruption and Promoting Integrity in the Tourism Sector, which provide a roadmap for countries to support their efforts in preventing and combating corruption, and to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in the tourism sector-targeting both public and private entities engaged in the tourism industry.