Saudi-Maldives Forum on Integrity Convenes to Address Corruption Threats to OIC’s Tourism Industry

Officials from across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have convened in the Maldives for a high-level forum aimed at bolstering integrity within the sector. The Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity, jointly organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Maldives and Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), brings together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and governance experts.

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef attended the inaugural session, held at Villa Nautica, as the guest of honour. The event, centred on the theme "Strengthening Integrity and Combating Corruption in the Tourism Sector", seeks to identify vulnerabilities within key regulatory frameworks, shaping policies that safeguard long-term industry stability.

At the inauguration, ACC President Adam Shamil underscored the urgency of reinforcing ethical governance and framed the forum as a critical step in fostering an integrity-driven economy. Tourism, he noted, is a cornerstone of prosperity for many OIC nations, yet corruption risks threaten its resilience. Effective anti-corruption policies, he stressed, must be implemented to ensure sustainable sector growth. Without decisive action, he argued, regulatory gaps could undermine investor confidence and weaken tourism markets.

The conference builds upon resolutions from the second ministerial meeting of OIC Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies, reinforcing commitments to transparency and ethical governance. Participants will assess systemic weaknesses across procurement systems, land-use policies, and cross-sector collaboration, evaluating reforms that strengthen oversight mechanisms.

Discussions will explore several pivotal areas, including inefficiencies in procurement, ethical lapses in tourism investments, and weaknesses in governance structures. A primary focus will be the evolving role of public-private partnerships, as stakeholders examine models that mitigate mismanagement risks while fostering collaboration across industries.

With global corruption risks influencing regulatory strategies, panellists will also consider mechanisms for international cooperation. Anti-corruption enforcement, asset recovery frameworks, and cross-border regulatory alignment are expected to feature prominently in deliberations.

More than 180 senior officials, representing over 40 OIC member countries, are in attendance, alongside delegates from international organisations. High-level plenary sessions will feature ministers, governance specialists, and sector analysts debating solutions to reinforce ethical accountability and transparency in tourism administration. As discussions progress, participants are expected to outline actionable recommendations to bolster integrity standards across OIC nations, seeking to establish a tourism sector resilient against corruption.