Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 09 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers, in their editorial today, highlighted the ceremony of honoring the winners of His Highness's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, stressing its importance, on both international and local levels, in promoting transparency and consolidating integrity and the rule of law. The newspapers pointed out that the award is a leading initiative, as it honors everyone who contributed to making tremendous efforts in combatting corruption, and at the same time represents the culmination of the strategy adopted by Qatar locally, regionally and internationally in supporting efforts to enhance integrity, transparency and corruption prevention. Under the title "Qatar Leads International Efforts to Combat Corruption", Al-Raya daily newspaper stressed, in its editorial today that the sixth edition of His Highness's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, reflects the State of Qatar's tireless efforts to consolidate the values of integrity and the rule of law around the world. The newspaper pointed out that the award, which has become an international symbol in the fight against corruption and the promotion of the values of transparency, integrity, good governance and the rule of law, comes to shed more light on the efforts of countries, individuals and organizations around the world in eradicating the phenomenon of corruption, which weakens societies and leaves them vulnerable crime. Al-Raya added, that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's patronage of the award ceremony came to confirm that Qatar is leading the international efforts to combat and prevent this scourge and warn of its threat to societies. The newspaper also noted the speech of HH the Amir, where His Highness voiced confidence that the award winners will redouble their efforts in combating corruption, the scourge that hinders development and harms public interest. In the same context, Al-Watan daily newspaper said that Qatar is one of the leading countries in the field of combating corruption, and has taken, in this direction, advanced steps at both national and international levels. It also provided the necessary support for the establishment of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center in Doha, which was inaugurated in 2013 with the aim and mission of promoting respect for the rule of law and combating corruption. In its editorial titled "Combatting Corruption," the newspaper said that Qatar has emerged as an active and serious international player in combating corruption, by joining the "United Nations Convention Against Corruption", in addition to establishing an annual award bearing the name of HH the Amir, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of addressing corruption, encouraging the implementation of the decisive measures of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and honoring exceptional projects and efforts aimed at combating corruption. The newspaper indicated that the award has constituted an annual international anti-corruption event since its approval in 2016, as it is given, in conjunction with Anti-Corruption Day and in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to individuals and organizations who contribute effectively to combating corruption. For its part, Al-Sharq newspaper considered in its editorial today under the title "His Highness' Award" that the celebration of the award's announcement is one of Qatar's most prominent initiatives and efforts at the international level in combating corruption and consolidating good governance and transparency. In this context, the newspaper said, "The award has become more established and distinguished, and it is celebrating its sixth edition as an annual international anti-corruption event. It is distributed, in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to individuals and organizations that contribute effectively to combating corruption in the areas of achievement, innovation, research, and youth creativity. Al-Sharq indicated that the award represents the culmination of the strategy adopted by Qatar locally, regionally and internationally in supporting efforts to enhance integrity, transparency and prevention of corruption at the national and international levels, and to raise awareness and promote pioneering initiatives and models in the field of combating corruption. The newspaper stressed that Qatar was and still is one of the prominent countries regionally and internationally in the field of combating corruption, and it stands among the most transparent countries in the world, with an outstanding record, as Qatar occupies an advanced position in the Corruption Perceptions Index for the year 2021 issued by Transparency International, a position it achieved thanks to efforts at the national and international levels. Under the title "A defining moment in the fight against corruption", Al-Arab newspaper highlighted in its editorial today the praises received by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Award for Excellence in Combating Corruption, stressing that the succession of praises for Qatar and HH the Amir is a source of pride for all the people of the country. The newspaper pointed out that HH the President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame was at the forefront of those who praised the initiative of HH the Amir and appreciated His Highness's efforts to combat corruption, stressing that "HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Award for Excellence in Combating Corruption" is a recognition of the efforts to combat corruption so that it does not become a way of living. The newspaper pointed out that the winners at the ceremony unanimously agreed on the importance of the award in supporting the efforts of the international community, institutions and individuals in fighting the scourge of corruption, and raising awareness of this matter, in addition to being an important initiative in motivating those interested to work to combat corruption. They appreciated the initiative of HH the Amir to launch this award in 2016 as a powerful catalyst to raise awareness of the devastating effects of corruption on societies. In a related context, The Peninsula newspaper stressed that Qatar believes in the necessity of combating terrorism, the scourge that humanity suffers from, and that it is necessary to address the root causes that lead to extremism and polarization due to repressive authoritarian regimes, marginalization, poverty, unemployment and lack of education and development programs. The newspaper said that corruption is one of the crimes that stands as an impenetrable barrier to the development and progress of peoples. It also creates economic and social gaps between the components of the same country, causing instability and insecurity. Corruption is described as an epidemic that, if you do not fight it, will have devastating economic, political and social effects and lead to the destruction of all aspects of life. The Peninsula indicated that Qatar has taken advanced steps at the national and international levels in combating corruption, by joining the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and allocating an annual award bearing the name HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. It pointed out that Doha witnessed yesterday, Thursday, the ceremony of the sixth session of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Award for Excellence in Combating Corruption, which was attended by HH the Amir, where His Highness honored many award winners from the United Kingdom, Italy, Lebanon, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, the United States of America, Kenya and Nigeria. The newspaper stressed that Qatar's role was not limited to fighting corruption and spreading awareness of the devastating aspect of this epidemic, but also achieved advanced results in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for the year 2021 issued by Transparency International, as Qatar scored 63 points on the index, which made Qatar ranked as second at the level of the Gulf and Arab countries, and at the global level Qatar ranked 31 among the 180 countries and territories included in the index. (QNA)