Jeddah: The first annual meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Regional Asset Recovery Network (MENA-ARIN) commenced in Jeddah with the participation of Kuwait's Supreme Attorney General Counselor Dr. Omar Al-Masoud. President of Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) Mazen Al-Kahmous emphasized the meeting's role in enhancing regional and international cooperation against financial crimes.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Kahmous highlighted the significance of the two-day meeting, which included senior representatives from member states, international organizations, and regional networks. The gathering focused on addressing shared priorities in confronting illicit assets linked to corruption, money laundering, and organized crime. He stressed the necessity of unified efforts and knowledge exchange to overcome these challenges.
Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the UN office at Vienna, Ghada Waly, welcomed the establishment of the regional network, viewing it as an effective platform for cooperation in asset recovery. She referenced international reports indicating significant financial losses due to illicit flows, with the Arab region losing approximately USD 60 billion annually and Africa nearly USD 88 billion.
Chairperson of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), Samya Abu Sharif, noted the group's efforts in supporting the network's creation as a critical international pillar. Kuwait's delegation, led by Supreme Attorney General Counselor Dr. Omar Al-Masoud and Prosecutor Abdullah Abu Sulaib, attended the inaugural meeting. The event marks the official launch of the network's operations, aimed at enhancing regional collaboration, fostering global partnerships, and developing effective mechanisms to recover illicit assets and improve integrity.