The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Republic of Maldives, is organizing the Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity in the Tourism sector, to be held in the Maldives from 6–7, May 2025. The forum is organized by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), in collaboration with the Maldives’ Anti-Corruption Commission and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with a wide participation from OIC member states and international anti-corruption organizations.
This forum aligns with the resolutions adopted at the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and the second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities in 2024. It highlights the commitment of OIC member states to strengthen international cooperation and the values of integrity and transparency, especially in vital economic sectors such as tourism.
The forum will address several key topics, most notably promoting transparency and good governance in the tourism sector, mechanisms for combating corruption, and to enhance international partnerships and the exchange of expertise among member states and international organizations. These discussions aim to support sustainable development and create a trustworthy and safe tourism environment.
It will feature high-level panel discussions with the participation of ministers, heads of anti-corruption authorities, and experts from various OIC members. These sessions will include the presentation of high-level principles for promoting integrity in the tourism sector and a set of recommendations that will serve as a roadmap for enhancing transparency and combating corruption at both national and international levels.
The forum will also highlight mechanisms for cooperation and information exchange among relevant entities and showcase best international practices in combating corruption in the tourism sector.
The forum will witness wide international participation, with representatives from over 40 countries and more than 10 regional and international organizations, including ministers, heads, and representatives of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities from OIC member states. Among the participating organizations are the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The convening of this forum reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting international efforts to enhance the principles of transparency and accountability in the tourism sector. This commitment stems from its belief in the importance of tourism in achieving sustainable development and it also aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a thriving tourism sector that contributes to diversifying national income and stimulating economic growth. The forum serves as an extension of the Kingdom’s pioneering efforts to strengthen international cooperation in combating corruption and affirms its active role in launching impactful initiatives that reinforce integrity and enhance tourism’s credibility as a key driver of development to build strategic partnerships based on transparency and mutual trust