A landmark set of High-Level Principles on Strengthening Integrity and Combating Corruption in the Tourism Sector, issued during the Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity held on May 6–7, 2025 (8–9 Shawwal 1446 Hijri), in Malé, will be formally submitted to the upcoming Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Jointly organized by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Nazaha) and the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Maldives, the forum convened over 190 senior officials and experts from more than 50 OIC member states and international organizations. Its primary focus was to advance anti-corruption efforts in the tourism sector—an industry central to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange in many OIC member states.

The High-Level Principles serve as a comprehensive framework designed to support OIC countries in enhancing integrity, transparency, and accountability across tourism operations. Grounded in Islamic values and international standards—including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—the document outlines nine key principles:

Enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks to prevent corruption and empower oversight bodies.

Strengthening international cooperation, including asset recovery and cross-border enforcement.

Leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to boost transparency and citizen engagement.

Ensuring integrity in procurement practices within tourism projects.

Promoting sustainable tourism development through fair and environmentally responsible land management.

Fostering integrity in public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the tourism industry.

Monitoring and evaluating anti-corruption frameworks for continual improvement.

Improving access to information and disclosure systems, including the identification of beneficial ownership.

Enhancing stakeholder collaboration and reporting mechanisms, with protection for whistleblowers.

The principles reflect a shared commitment among OIC member states to address corruption risks that undermine tourism’s potential and to foster resilient, fair, and sustainable development. Their adoption at the ministerial level will encourage member states to align national policies and strategies with these best practices, ensuring tourism contributes to broader anti-corruption and development objectives.