Bahrain continues to take proactive steps to safeguard and protect public funds and will continue to crackdown on all forms of corruption ... and this year the global focus will be to further encourage young people to play a prominent part in the campaign.
‘Building an anti-corruption culture’ remains a priority, said Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in his message ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day being marked internationally today.
The Anti-Corruption Directorate received 193 cases between January and December, he revealed. “The necessary legal procedures were taken in each case, ensuring confidentiality and integrity,” added Gen Shaikh Rashid as he commended the efforts of the General Directorate for Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security.
“Bahrain has established firm rules and serious practices in combating corruption, which have had a practical impact on enhancing its status and leading role, regionally and internationally.”
The theme for this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’.
With 1.9 billion young people in the world today, nearly a quarter of the global population, tackling corruption is essential for securing their future. Yet shaping tomorrow’s integrity starts with the choices we make today, the United Nations (UN) stated.
Its success depends on empowering and meaningfully including the next generation in anti-corruption efforts, harnessing emerging technologies and strengthening governance and institutional systems that uphold transparency and accountability.
It also requires robust protections for those who courageously speak out and report wrongdoing.
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and block-chain offer powerful tools to prevent, detect and expose corruption, provided appropriate safeguards against misuse are in place.
Young people are at the forefront of this digital transformation, using their skills as innovators, developers and engaged digital citizens to create solutions that increase transparency, broaden access to information and enable secure, anonymous reporting for whistle-blowers.
Integrity in the private sector and ethical business practices are equally vital, ensuring fair opportunities and access to decent jobs for young people.
Youth engagement in these efforts helps build transparent, inclusive and accountable workplaces and reinforces ethical standards across society.
Fighting corruption also requires strong international co-operation to dismantle organised crime, curb illicit financial flows and ensure public resources are managed transparently.
When governments act with integrity, schools are better funded, public services reach those who need them and citizens, especially youth, can trust institutions to deliver fairly.
Education plays a central role in cultivating a culture of integrity from an early age, shaping a generation that resists corruption, embraces fairness and ethical behaviour and is equipped to contribute to more secure, accountable and transparent societies.
Young people remain at the heart of the fight against corruption. Deeply affected by its consequences, they are uniquely positioned to uphold ethical standards in their communities and challenge corruption at every level.
By listening to their voices, supporting their leadership and ensuring they have a meaningful seat at the table, we empower youth to strengthen accountability, uphold integrity and help build corruption-resilient institutions, the UN added.
Gen Shaikh Rashid believes that Bahrain has set ‘firm foundations for combating corruption, backed by its wise leadership’.
“We have established an anti-corruption culture, built on a robust legislative framework and sound procedures, to ensure a corruption-free environment is a top priority for promoting economic and social development,” said the minister yesterday.
“A genuine collaboration between the state and society is the fundamental starting point, through reporting violations and actively participating in integrity programmes.”
Bahrain is a party to both the Arab and United Nations Conventions against Corruption.
“I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the national efforts made, as combating corruption remains a societal responsibility that supports the development process,” added Gen Shaikh Rashid.
The ministry runs a dedicated anti-corruption hotline to report cases at 992.
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