Doha, Qatar: Acting Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), HE John Brandolino, has highlighted Qatar's pivotal role in supporting international efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency, under the leadership of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Speaking at the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence (ACE) Award," Brandolino expressed his gratitude to HH the Amir and the Qatari government for their unwavering support for global anti-corruption initiatives. The event coincides with Qatar hosting the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (COSP), which begins in Doha on Monday.
"The awards ceremony honors exceptional individuals who have courageously and creatively confronted corruption," he said, adding that the awards celebrate the human determination to resist wrongdoing and the belief in the possibility of change.
Since its launch in 2016, the ACE Award has partnered with the Doha-based Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre, in alignment with the UN Convention against Corruption, to promote justice, good governance, and accountability.
HE Brandolino emphasized that corruption primarily affects ordinary citizens, yet it is often these same citizens who take extraordinary steps to fight it. "The award recognizes individuals from diverse backgrounds - academics, investigative journalists, whistleblowers, students, youth, and civil society activists - united by a shared conviction that everyone has the right and responsibility to oppose corruption," he said.
He also announced the launch of a new initiative, "the ACE Award Winners' Dialogue Series" designed to connect past award recipients with young people, fostering mentorship, collaboration, and the exchange of experiences to nurture a new generation of integrity leaders. This initiative will be highlighted during the upcoming conference.
Concluding his remarks, Brandolino thanked Qatar for its leadership and commitment to the values embodied by the awards, urging others to follow the example of the winners in building a unified global front against corruption.
