The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest the news of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Central Authority for Control and Inspection in Syria and the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in the holy city of Mecca, in the presence of the head of the Central Authority, Engineer Amer Namas Al-Ali, and the head of Nazaha, Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous.
The memorandum covers several areas, most notably the exchange of information and expertise, asset recovery, joint training, the use of artificial intelligence technologies, and the launch of a digital platform for government contracts that benefits from the pioneering Saudi experience in this field.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the signing of this memorandum at this time, which comes about a month after another memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the municipal and environmental fields, confirming that Syrian-Saudi cooperation extends beyond political and security matters to include institutional capacity building and combating corruption.
The Syrian Future Movement points to the high-quality technical aspects of the memorandum, which reflect a sophisticated understanding of the nature of combating corruption in the 21st century. It notes that the memorandum goes beyond traditional provisions (information exchange, asset recovery, training) to include the use of artificial intelligence technologies and the launch of a digital platform for government contracts. This, we believe, reflects a shared understanding that combating corruption no longer relies solely on laws and penalties, but requires advanced oversight systems that minimize human intervention, reduce opportunities for corruption, and enhance transparency.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its unwavering support for combating corruption and promoting good governance, as published on its official website. This includes:
- A statement regarding the Ministry of Finance’s anti-corruption campaign and the referral of cases to the judiciary, commending the Ministry’s efforts and the preparation of new lists of banks and public institutions. The Movement stressed the necessity for these measures to translate into transparent and sustainable policies.
- A study titled “Corruption and Nepotism in Syria,” published on November 10, 2024, which indicated that combating corruption and recovering looted assets is a top priority, no less important than rebuilding bridges and homes.
While the Syrian Future Movement appreciates this positive step, it emphasizes that the greatest risk facing any agreement of this kind is that it will remain shelved. The Movement believes that the continuation of contracts and deals signed without public tenders will perpetuate doubts about the seriousness of reform.
To ensure the memorandum’s provisions are translated into tangible reality, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Announcing a clear implementation plan with specific timelines and developing a detailed action plan for each of its provisions. The memorandum includes measurable performance indicators, binding timelines, and mechanisms for periodic follow-up, with the participation of experts from both sides in the implementation process.
- A joint high-level follow-up committee will be formed, comprising representatives from both bodies, in addition to independent experts and representatives from civil society. Its meetings will be held regularly (at least monthly), and their minutes will be published concisely to ensure transparency.
- Local legislation will be enacted to strengthen the independence of oversight bodies and protect whistleblowers, in line with international best practices, as any external cooperation will remain limited in its effectiveness if the local legal framework remains weak.
- Government contracts will be immediately published on a public digital platform, and this platform will be mandatory for all public entities. Data will be open and verifiable by citizens and oversight bodies, following the Saudi experience, which the memorandum draws upon. The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its welcome of this positive step, which reflects the depth of Syrian-Saudi relations and demonstrates a shared desire to promote integrity and combat corruption.
We remind everyone that the path to success is not measured by the number of memoranda signed, but rather by their ability to translate their provisions into action. The tangible reality of recovering real funds, public trials of high-ranking corrupt officials, and a noticeable decline in corruption indicators.
Therefore, the Syrian government is called upon today to prove its seriousness by transforming this memorandum into an executive roadmap; otherwise, it will remain merely another episode in the series of “unfulfilled promises.”
The Syrian Future Movement will remain supportive, critical, and vigilant regarding this issue, striving to build a new Syria on the foundations of integrity, transparency, and justice.
