The UAE is marking International Anti-Corruption Day, observed each year on 9 December, against the backdrop of major achievements and strong global rankings in governance, transparency, anti-corruption measures, and institutional excellence.
In pursuit of sustainable development, the UAE has adopted comprehensive standards by implementing numerous measures aimed at achieving these goals. These include enacting legislation to reinforce integrity principles, signing international agreements combating corruption in all its forms, and hosting specialised global conferences on the issue.
According to the 2025 World Competitiveness Report issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, the UAE ranked fourth worldwide for Government Efficiency and first globally for the absence of bureaucracy—clear indicators of the country’s success in enhancing government performance and aligning operations with international benchmarks.
The UAE has also stressed the importance of global cooperation in tackling corruption and combating financial crimes, intensifying efforts to bolster international coordination and share expertise to promote transparency, integrity, and the fight against financial misconduct.
In 2025, Abu Dhabi hosted several major international conferences that brought together leading experts and specialists. Among them was the INTERPOL Global Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Conference, which explored best practices in government procurement, asset recovery, and cooperation between investigative bodies, oversight authorities, and the private sector.
Demonstrating its increasing prominence in global oversight, the UAE Accountability Authority (UAEAA) was elected to the Executive Council of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) during the 62nd meeting of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI), held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This milestone underscores the UAE’s growing influence in international oversight and marks a key step in advancing sound governance and financial supervision. It also signifies global recognition of the UAE Audit Institution’s active role in promoting transparency and accountability at both regional and international levels.
The UAE continues to uphold the highest international standards in combating financial crimes and addressing money laundering and terrorism financing, through effective and coordinated national measures efforts that reinforce its global position in countering illicit financial activities.
These efforts led to the UAE’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “enhanced monitoring” list, after the Higher Committee overseeing the national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorism financing successfully met the required benchmarks. This accomplishment boosts global confidence in the UAE’s financial framework and supports its strategies to strengthen economic and trade partnerships worldwide.
International conventions form a core part of states’ commitments to the principles outlined within them. In this regard, the UAE signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)—adopted by the UN General Assembly and opened for signature from 9 to 11 December 2003—and ratified it on 22 February 2006. The UAE also signed the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime on 9 December 2005 and ratified it on 22 February 2006.
Additionally, the UAE joined as a founding member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), established on 30 November 2004 as a regional body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
(Inputs from WAM)
