Head of the delegation Abdullah Fakhri Al-Ansari, who is also acting director of the interior ministry’s legal affairs and international cooperation department, claimed the Kingdom is taking action against those involved in corrupt practices and is also working with other countries to tackle such crimes.

He was speaking at the 19th session of the UN Committee on Crime and Criminal Justice, which runs until Friday.

Al-Ansari added the Kingdom has signed a declaration to combat corruption as well as the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

He also revealed that the Kingdom has signed a number of security agreements with other countries to tackle corrupt practices. Domestically, Al-Ansari said the Kingdom had issued a number of relevant bylaws that aim to crack down on bribery and corrupt practices in the workplace and government.

Ministers convicted of involvement in corruption can be removed from their positions and imprisoned.

Al-Ansari indicated this was evidence Saudi Arabia was working hard to protect public money and prevent misuse of authority.

He also pointed out that the Kingdom in 2004 had started implementing a national strategy to protect integrity and prevent corruption through the establishment of a national committee to tackle corrupt practices.

Al-Ansari added that the fallout from the catastrophic Jeddah floods and the ensuing investigations was evidence of a clear and unprecedented condemnation of all forms of corruption and the intention to maintain public confidence in the government.