2025-2-28

ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming has led a delegation to visit Saudi Arabia in late February 2025 to foster closer ties in anti-corruption initiatives between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

Between 24 and 27 February 2025, the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption had arranged a four-day capacity building training and experience sharing for graft fighters of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). Through simulated law enforcement and arrest exercises, officers of ICAC and Nazaha shared their skills in financial investigation and in using innovative technology.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training programme, Woo said, “Every participant is the frontline defender of justice and integrity in your society. The knowledge and skills gained will not only enhance your professional capabilities, but will also empower you to create a lasting impact at your work. Each case you investigate, each report you prepare and each recommendation your make contributes to a corruption free society and strengthens governance frameworks globally. Our ultimate goal is to build a world free from corruption, where the rule of law prevails,”

Woo, in his capacity of President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), met with H.E. Mazin Al-Kahmous, President of Nazaha and an executive committee member of IAACA. At the bilateral meeting, they discussed details of speeding up the implementation of joint projects and, through the IAACA’s global anti-corruption network, further consolidating the anti-graft efforts in the Middle East to elevate the global anti-corruption cause.

The delegation also visited the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia to learn about the application of an integrated electronic platform to simplify procedures of project contracts, effectively monitor procurement exercises and lower corruption risks, from which the ICAC would benefit when developing its strategy in corruption prevention through digitalization.

The delegation also paid visits to H.E. Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for updating Hong Kong's latest anti-corruption work and cooperation with local anti-corruption agencies.