The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) signed on Tuesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for cooperation and coordination between the two parties in supporting efforts to fight corruption, and promote values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.

On behalf of GOPAC, HE Speaker of the Shura Council and Chairperson of the Organization Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud signed the MoU, while on behalf of PAM, HE Chairperson of the Assembly Gennaro Migliore signed the MoU.

In his speech on this occasion, HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud emphasized the importance of signing this MoU, adding that it enhances cooperation between the two sides to achieve joint goals that revolve around fighting against corruption, given that it is a dangerous scourge that impedes the economic and social growth of many countries- creating a serious challenge to global peace and security.

His Excellency also explained that GOPAC, which opened the headquarters of its General Secretariat in Doha at the beginning of June, works on achieving a number of goals over the coming two years, and these goals include working on increasing the number of its affiliated parliamentarians, as well as establishing more national and regional branches, and working with all regional and international organizations to contribute to the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as well as the Global Anti-Corruption Policy.

The MoU that was signed stipulates developing cooperation between the two parties and facilitating bilateral meetings between them to work on their goals, in addition to seeking the establishment of continuous means of communication, holding periodic meetings between them to discuss matters of joint interest, as well as conducting continuous consultations and holding joint conferences.

The MoU also stipulates cooperation in all matters related to the implementation of UNCAC, following up on the process made in implementing the provisions of the Convention and the decisions of the anti-corruption parliamentary assembly, and exchanging information, research, periodicals and other publications on the relevant activities of each party.

It is worth mentioning that PAM is an international parliamentary organization- a permanent observer in the UN General Assembly, and it includes 34 member parliaments from the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf region. The Assembly's main focus is towards discussing the most urgent common challenges, such as regional conflicts, security and counter-terrorism, humanitarian crises, economic integration, trade and investment, climate change, migration, human rights, interfaith dialogue and other important matters. (QNA)