Salalah: Formulate national strategies to effectively promote integrity and counter corruption and ensure efficient implementation of outlined programmes.
This is one of the recommendations issued at the conclusion of the symposium organised by the State Audit Institution (SAI) of the Sultanate of Oman in cooperation with the GCC Secretariat General.
The symposium, which concluded here on Thursday, adopted a number of recommendations for enhancing institutional and community partnerships in safeguarding ‘Public Funds, Fostering Integrity, and Combating Corruption’.
These include establishment and refinement of legislation aligned with global best practices for combating corruption, encompassing provisions for whistleblower protection and witness safeguards; adopt exemplary approaches to identify instances of corrupt activities; foster seamless collaboration among pertinent government bodies through collaborative committees; enhance skills and expertise of professionals dedicated to advancing integrity and battling corruption; amplify the culture of effective governance, along with the development of measurement tools to assess progress; disseminate a culture of integrity via media, diverse communication initiatives, and educational institutions; heighten community involvement by publishing reports on governmental endeavours aimed at promoting integrity and combating corruption; and maintain ongoing awareness regarding channels and mechanisms to report complaints, underscoring their pivotal role in safeguarding public funds and eradicating
corruption.
The day-long event was organised to promote effective partnership with peer SAIs and regional and international organisations, and to exchange experiences and expertise amongst institutions concerned with integrity promotion and corruption combating at the GCC. Representatives of institutions concerned as well as a number of specialists from government units participated in the symposium. Earlier, Younis bin Sulaiman al Tobi, Director General of the Directorate General of Financial and Administrative Audit in Dhofar Governorate, said that the symposium reflects the keenness of GCC states to promote joint Gulf action through their various committees by highlighting institutional roles and examining societal partnership areas as well as monitoring relevant best international practices. A number of working papers were reviewed in two sessions, whereby the first session was devoted to the added-value of institutional and societal partnership in the protection of public fund. The second session addressed the best practices and future prospects for institutional and societal partnership activities in protecting public fund. Commenting on the significance of the symposium, Dr Mohammed al Shashai, Director – Ministry of Information (Dhofar Office), said: “The Sultanate of Oman maintains an unwavering commitment to strengthening integrity and safeguarding public finances, seamlessly aligning with the Oman Vision 2040, a roadmap dedicated to nurturing a flourishing and enduring society.” He further noted: “Oman is actively reinforcing its oversight framework, establishing a robust system of checks and balances, while unwaveringly upholding an impartial judiciary. Our efforts also encompass nurturing national expertise in oversight and fostering a legally astute populace that actively engages in the oversight process.” “Our journey to amplify integrity and ensure the security of public finances is ongoing. These pursuits stand as pivotal steps towards constructing a prosperous and sustainable society that benefits every citizen of Oman,” the official added.
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