Qatar calls for faster entry into force of the Merida Convention
Qatar has called for the Merida Convention to enter into force as soon as possible. The statement was made by Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority of Qatar Hamad bin Nasser Al-Misnad at a meeting of heads of anti-corruption law enforcement bodies of the Islamic Cooperation Organisation (OIC) in Baku on 28 October 2026.
Yulduz Salimov3 min read
Qatar has called for the Merida Convention against corruption to enter into force as soon as possible. Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority of Qatar Hamad bin Nasser Al-Misnad made the statement at the third high-level meeting of heads of anti-corruption law enforcement bodies of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The meeting took place in Baku on Wednesday.
According to Al-Misnad, Qatar views the convention as an important instrument for strengthening cooperation and information exchange between competent bodies of member states. The convention is also important for the investigation of corruption-related crimes and the return of assets.
He thanked Azerbaijan for hosting the meeting, for its warm reception and for the high level of organisation. He also expressed appreciation to the OIC General Secretariat for supporting cooperation between member states.
Meeting in Doha and ratification
Al-Misnad noted that Qatar accepted and chaired the second ministerial meeting, held in Doha in November 2024. According to him, it contributed to strengthening cooperation between profile agencies and to increasing the number of countries that signed the Merida Convention.
«At the Doha meeting, 21 states signed the convention, and the total number of signatories at that moment reached 24. To develop this agreement, Qatar recently ratified the convention. We expect member states to complete the signing and ratification procedures so that the document can enter into force as soon as possible,» he said.
The Qatari representative stressed that the meeting is taking place under complex political and political-military conditions. Such circumstances deplete state resources and affect their institutions and development processes, so the protection of national resources and strengthening cooperation against transnational corruption crimes are becoming even more important.
«Qatar emphasises the need to respect the sovereignty of states, promote peaceful settlement of disputes, strengthen the rule of law and fight impunity,» Al-Misnad said.
Qatar's national and international commitments
Al-Misnad said that, as part of its national and international efforts, Qatar has begun implementing a national strategy for 2025–2030 aimed at strengthening integrity and transparency, as well as preventing corruption. He noted that Qatar must adopt the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption in December 2025, and the sixth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Arab Convention against Corruption in September 2026.
According to Al-Misnad, the Merida Convention is an important mechanism corresponding to the relevant legal frameworks. It serves to strengthen cooperation and information exchange between competent bodies, as well as to support the investigation of corruption crimes and the return of assets.
In conclusion of his speech, he thanked the member states and the General Secretariat for cooperation during Qatar's chairmanship. Al-Misnad expressed confidence that «brotherly Azerbaijan» will successfully continue to lead this process and achieve practical results useful for countries and peoples.
Source: trend.az
