The Saudi Ministry of Finance took part in the 16th Session of Meetings under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which occurred from June 16 to June 20, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.
In its presentation on preventing corruption in government procurement through technology, the Ministry stressed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to fostering integrity and fair competition in public procurement. The Kingdom has implemented initiatives and legal measures such as the government procurement e-portal “Etimad.” This portal requires that all activities related to public tenders be conducted through it while ensuring transparency and data confidentiality.
“Etimad” allows stakeholders to access information about public tenders. It maintains a record for each government entity, documenting contracts and projects announced. This aids oversight bodies in verifying compliance with regulations.
The Saudi delegation also discussed efforts to unify technical systems across government entities via the Unified Government Resources Planning System. This ensures that procurement actions are recorded before being announced.
The Kingdom prioritizes combating corruption by adopting technological systems for continuous oversight. It launched the “Raqeeb” system using artificial intelligence to detect fraud throughout the procurement process.
“Raqeeb” analyzes data for bid rigging and collusive practices, identifying fictitious entities while maintaining data privacy. The system provides flexible oversight scenarios for rapid response to irregularities.
The Ministry’s participation reflects its commitment to international anti-corruption initiatives, contributing globally by learning from other nations and exchanging expertise under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on governance, transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption efforts.
