BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29. Azerbaijan boosts
anti-corruption cooperation within the OIC (Organization of Islamic
Cooperation) space, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
According to him, Baku’s hosting the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of
Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities of OIC Member States
represents another example of Azerbaijan’s contribution to the
development of international law enforcement cooperation.
He said that the significance of the meeting extends beyond
merely bringing together representatives from various countries.
The core objective is to strengthen joint action against the
transnational nature of corruption, improve legal mechanisms, and
foster greater trust among states.
“In the modern world, corruption has long ceased to be merely an
internal problem of individual states. The transfer of illicitly
obtained funds to other countries, their concealment through
complex financial transactions, and the laundering of proceeds from
crime make the fight against this phenomenon increasingly
challenging. The financial traces of a crime committed in one
country may lead to the banking system, corporate sector, or real
estate market of another. In such instances, measures taken solely
within the framework of national legislation are insufficient.
Agile cooperation between states is essential for the exchange of
information, the acquisition of evidence, and the recovery of
assets acquired through criminal means.
It’s in this context that the agenda of the meeting held in Baku
takes on particular significance. Strengthening ties among
anti-corruption bodies of the OIC member states enables law
enforcement agencies to exchange experience, discuss common
challenges, and develop more effective mechanisms for cooperation.
This issue was also highlighted in the address by the President of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the meeting participants. President
Ilham Aliyev, noting the damage caused by corruption to public
trust, social justice, and economic development, stated: "The
transnational nature of such crimes may necessitate measures at
both the national and international levels." This approach clearly
illustrates the essence of cooperation. The outcome of the fight
against corruption depends not only on the steps taken by
individual countries but also on the level of support they provide
to one another," the analyst remarked.
Garayev noted that Azerbaijan’s accession to the Mecca
(al-Mukarramah) Convention during the meeting was a significant
development.
"This document, envisaging law enforcement cooperation among OIC
member states in the fight against corruption, serves to establish
a legal platform for joint action. The importance of such
mechanisms becomes particularly pronounced in instances where the
proceeds of crime are moved across national borders. Coordinated
activity among law enforcement agencies can facilitate the
investigation of financial transactions, the identification of
assets obtained through criminal means, and the consolidation of
efforts toward their recovery. Azerbaijan’s accession to the
convention demonstrates the country's interest in expanding
international cooperation in this sphere. Furthermore, Baku’s
provision of a platform for dialogue within the OIC space is
significant for the development of ties among partner states aimed
at addressing common challenges," Garayev explained.
The analyst emphasized that the role of technology in the fight
against corruption is also steadily increasing. The digitalization
of public services, the simplification of administrative
procedures, and the enhancement of transparency in decision-making
processes contribute to the mitigation of corruption risks. By
reducing direct interaction between citizens and government
institutions, electronic services limit the opportunities that
might otherwise arise for informal payments.
"On the other hand, the rapid development of artificial
intelligence and digital financial instruments presents new
challenges. These technologies can also be used to conceal
financial transactions, fabricate data, and obscure the origins of
illicit proceeds. Consequently, the application of modern
technologies in law enforcement, the training of specialists, and
the exchange of digital data between states are becoming vital
aspects of the fight against corruption. As emphasized in President
Ilham Aliyev’s address: "The effective use of modern technological
solutions by the relevant law enforcement authorities is
particularly important in preventing and effectively investigating
such crimes." Within Azerbaijan itself, the
improvement of legislation, the enhancement of transparency and
accountability in public administration, the strengthening of
public oversight, and the ensuring of accessibility to services
have been identified as key priorities in this area," the analyst
noted.
Garayev pointed out that the high-level meeting held in Baku
creates additional opportunities for discussing these practices and
developing international cooperation.
"The significance of its outcomes will be determined by the
steps states take to translate agreements into practical action,
maintain mutual trust, and strengthen joint mechanisms. To achieve
sustainable results in the fight against corruption, political
will, functional legal mechanisms, and international solidarity
must complement one another. This is the core message of the
meeting in Baku: the more systematic and effective the cooperation
between states, the more impactful the response to the risks posed
by corruption will be," the analyst added.
