Tangible reforms reinforce anti-corruption drive

By Reaven D’Souza
Executive Managing Editor

Corruption is an insidious social, political, and economic scourge that affects all countries, and impairs every aspect of development. It erodes trust in government, perverts the rule of law, undermines democratic institutions and social contracts, and negatively impacts sustainable development of economies and societies. Corruption fuels and perpetuates inequalities and discontent that lead to social upheavals and violent conflicts.

According to the latest edition of the annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Berlin-based Transparency International—the organization that works to end injustice of corruption—more than two-thirds of the 180 countries assessed in 2024, scored below 50 out of 100. The CPI, which ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale ranging from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), noted that the global average CPI has remained stuck at 43 since 2022.

It is against this lower-than-desirable global perception of corruption in public life that the 11th session of Conference of States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was held from 15–19 December in Doha, Qatar. The participation of more than 170 states parties at the 11th biennial CoSP, 20 years after UNCAC entered into force in 2005, points to the primacy of good governance, integrity, transparency, and accountability, to the global community.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’, the overarching focus of the session was on recognizing and responding to the new realities of corruption and economic crime. The rapid advance of technology in every aspect of life presents cutting-edge tools that enable corrupt actors to hide their furtive dealings and engage in activities across borders and between jurisdictions. But technology can also be a transformative force against corruption, with artificial intelligence (AI) a potent weapon in the global fight against corruption.

In Kuwait’s address to the UNCAC gathering, Chairman of Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim, stressed Kuwait’s ongoing and systematic efforts to update its national legislation, procedures, and policies to fight corruption in line with provisions of the UNCAC. He noted that Kuwait is currently working on the preparation and implementation of the second phase of its national strategy to enhance integrity and combat corruption, and has enacted several new laws aimed at strengthening effective implementation of the UNCAC.

Al-Ibrahim added that Kuwait is steadily strengthening its national strategy to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, in conformation with the recommendations of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He also emphasized the need to intensify international cooperation in addressing corruption, and for more research and studies on assessing corruption risks, measuring perceptions of corruption and its causes, and analyzing emerging trends in corruption.

In a report ahead of the Doha conference, Transparency International warned that global corruption levels remain alarmingly high, with efforts to curb corruption continuing to falter. The organization noted that nearly 6.8 billion people, equivalent to 85 percent of the world’s population of eight billion, live in countries scoring below 50 on the CPI.

Regionally, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states topped the list of Arab countries in terms of anti-corruption measures. Transparency International attributed the notable improvement and relatively high scores achieved by GCC countries to their adoption of investments in public-sector e-governance solutions. The stakes to improve good governance could hardly be higher, with states straining under the burden of corruption money, which erodes public trust in authorities and fuels waves of anti-government and anti-corruption protests.

In Kuwait, a study in 2019 based on CPI and other related data highlighted the extent of financial corruption in the country. The study showed a steady increase in the level of financial corruption over the past decade, including in money laundering, real-estate swindles, and investing funds from the country’s sovereign wealth fund, as well as from the social security institution, in shady projects that benefited individuals and groups at the expense of the state.

Since taking office in May 2024, the current government has prioritized and intensified anti-corruption strategies aimed at eradicating corruption from all walks of public life. These efforts are supported at the highest levels of government, including a strong message from His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in which he emphasized the political leadership’s commitment to combating corruption and safeguarding public funds.

In light of this strong anti-corruption stance, Kuwait has enacted several new laws in 2025 to strengthen its anti-corruption framework, including expanding the definition of corruption offenses, and improving the legal basis for international judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The cabinet also mandated the National Committee to Combat Money laundering and Terrorism Financing to reinforce cooperation with other state institutions, to help introduce reforms, achieve international standards, and boost Kuwait’s reputation in this field.

The National Committee, which includes, among others, the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), the Kuwait Financial Intelligence Unit (KwFIU), and the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Justice, and Interior, has been vigilantly monitoring money laundering and terrorism financing activities, and implementing Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) strategies aimed at protecting the national economy and combatting illegal financing activities.

In this regard, the Ministry of Justice has introduced Decree No. 76/2025, amending law No. 106/2013 concerning money laundering and combating terrorism financing, This has enabled the government to enact decisions that abide by international rules and regulations in this domain. The law now includes decisions to list and freeze assets and finances, as well as ban dealings of suspicious individuals, and accord penal verdicts and fines that range from KD10,000 to KD500,000 for each violation.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has through Ministerial Resolution No. 182/2025, banned all cash transactions for gold, precious metals, and stones to fight money laundering and boost transparency. All payments must now use non-cash methods approved by the CBK, like KNET cards, or bank transfers, with severe penalties, including business closure, for non-compliance. On a related note, the CBK has also notified banks to use the KwFIU guideline to report suspicious transactions.

Kuwait’s initiatives in advancing transparency and integrity are reflected in recent international indicators. The country has climbed 20 places over the past five years in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index—advancing from its 85th spot globally in 2019 to 65th place last year—with its score improving from 40 to 46, the highest since 2015. This progress is also reflected in the World Justice Project’s latest Rule of Law Index, where Kuwait ranked 52nd out of 142 countries globally. Kuwait also stood 2nd in the Middle East and North Africa in governance reforms.

In September, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), and the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD) signed the second phase of the project to update Kuwait’s national integrity and anti-corruption framework. Building on the achievements of the strategy’s first phase (2019–2025), the project which will run from July 2025 to June 2026, aims to strengthen institutions, rebuild public trust, and align national efforts with the UNCAC and Vision 2035.

Pointing out that corruption undermines development, while integrity creates the conditions for growth, fairness, and opportunity, UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait, Emma Morley said, “At UNDP, we are working with Nazaha and the GSSCPD to help build a society free of corruption, where institutions are stronger, and people’s trust is restored. But achieving this vision is not the responsibility of one institution alone; every citizen, every organization, and every partner has a role to play in building a transparent and fair Kuwait.”