The conclusion of the world’s largest anti-corruption gathering in Doha on 19 December marked a significant milestone in the global fight against corruption. With the adoption of the Doha Declaration 2025: strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance and seizing the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence systems in preventing and combating corruption, States sent a clear and forward-looking message: safeguarding integrity in the decades ahead will depend on responsible technological innovation, especially artificial intelligence (AI), combined with deeper and more effective international cooperation.

At a time when corruption and financial crimes are becoming increasingly complex, transnational, and technologically enabled, the Doha Declaration acknowledges a fundamental reality. Traditional law enforcement tools and fragmented national approaches are no longer sufficient to address corruption networks that operate across borders, exploit digital systems, and move illicit funds at unprecedented speed. The Declaration therefore calls on States to modernize their anti-corruption frameworks by leveraging digital technologies and AI, while ensuring that such tools are used ethically, transparently, and in accordance with international law.

One of the central pillars of the Doha Declaration 2025 is the recognition that AI and digital technologies can significantly enhance the capacity of law enforcement and justice systems. From detecting suspicious financial patterns to improving risk assessments in public procurement, AI offers powerful tools to increase accuracy, efficiency, and objectivity in anti-corruption efforts.

The Declaration urges States to use these technologies to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation, particularly in cross-border corruption cases. Such cases are often undermined by delays in information sharing, jurisdictional barriers, and limited access to reliable data. By embracing secure digital platforms and AI-assisted analytics, authorities can respond more swiftly to corruption risks, trace illicit financial flows more effectively, and preserve critical evidence before it is lost or concealed.

Importantly, the Declaration does not frame technology as a cure-all. Instead, it emphasizes responsible use, acknowledging the risks associated with misuse, bias, or lack of oversight. This balanced approach reflects growing global awareness that AI must be embedded within strong governance frameworks, human rights safeguards, and accountability mechanisms if it is to contribute meaningfully to justice and integrity.

A key feature of the Doha Declaration is its encouragement of technologies developed through expert networks, particularly the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, known as the GlobE Network. These platforms are designed to facilitate secure and rapid exchange of information among anti-corruption authorities worldwide.

Timely information sharing is especially critical in corruption investigations. Delays can allow suspects to move assets, destroy evidence, or exploit legal loopholes across jurisdictions. By promoting the use of digital tools that enable real-time cooperation, the Declaration seeks to close these gaps and strengthen collective responses to corruption.

John Brandolino, Acting Executive Director of UNODC, underscored this importance, noting that the focus on artificial intelligence represents a meaningful step toward realizing the full potential of technology in preventing and combating corruption. His remarks reflect a broader institutional commitment within the UN system to integrate innovation into governance and rule-of-law initiatives.

The Doha Conference also highlighted the vital role of young people in shaping the future of anti-corruption efforts. Addressed by the UNODC YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board, the Conference heard a strong call for the meaningful inclusion of youth in anti-corruption frameworks, not as symbolic participants but as active contributors to decision-making processes.

Representatives Ayotunde Aboderin of Nigeria, Esma Gumberidze of Georgia, and Rachida El Rhdioui of Morocco delivered a powerful message to States: investing in young people today is essential for building integrity tomorrow. Their appeal to “invite our voices with the intention of actually letting our insights influence decisions” reflects growing global recognition that sustainable anti-corruption strategies must be inclusive, participatory, and forward-looking.

By emphasizing youth leadership, the Doha Declaration aligns anti-corruption efforts with broader development goals, recognizing that education, empowerment, and civic engagement are long-term defenses against corruption.

Beyond the Declaration itself, the Conference adopted eleven resolutions addressing a wide range of interconnected challenges. These resolutions underscore the multifaceted nature of corruption and its links to other serious crimes. Among the key areas of focus are enhancing transparency in the funding of political parties, candidates, and electoral campaigns; strengthening the integrity of children and young people through education; and examining the role corruption plays in facilitating crimes such as migrant smuggling and environmental offenses.

The Conference also addressed the future of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) peer-review mechanism. A resolution on the next phase of the review process highlights the need for systems that are efficient, effective, and fit for purpose. By building on the experience gained through the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM), States reaffirmed their commitment to accountability and continuous improvement in implementing the Convention.

Since its launch in 2010, the IRM has already supported 146 countries in updating or introducing new anti-corruption laws and policies, demonstrating the tangible impact of peer review and international cooperation.

Another notable outcome of the Conference was the launch of the COSP Private Sector Platform, co-led by UNODC and the UN Global Compact. With twenty-one companies joining at its inception, the platform represents a significant step toward strengthening public–private partnerships in the fight against corruption.

The involvement of the private sector is crucial, given its role in areas such as procurement, investment, and global supply chains. By creating a formal mechanism for companies to contribute to the implementation of UNCAC, the platform aims to promote ethical business practices, reduce corruption risks, and align corporate conduct with international standards.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption remains the only global, legally binding instrument dedicated to combating corruption. In force since December 2005 and with 192 Parties, the Convention provides a comprehensive framework for prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance.

The Conference of the States Parties (COSP), as the Convention’s main decision-making body, plays a central role in shaping global anti-corruption policy. Convening every two years, it offers States a platform to assess progress, adopt resolutions, and set priorities for collective action. The decision to hold COSP12 in Uzbekistan reflects the global and inclusive nature of this process.

The Doha Declaration 2025 represents more than a policy statement; it is a roadmap for adapting anti-corruption efforts to a rapidly changing world. By embracing artificial intelligence, strengthening international cooperation, engaging youth and the private sector, and reinforcing existing mechanisms under UNCAC, States have signaled a commitment to innovation grounded in shared responsibility.

As corruption continues to undermine development, trust, and prosperity worldwide, the challenge will lie in translating these commitments into concrete action. The success of the Doha Declaration will ultimately be measured not by its words, but by the reforms, partnerships, and technological solutions it inspires in the years ahead.

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