"Arab Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon" initiative to be hosted by Qatar

Qatar will host the first edition of the ''Coding4Integrity'' initiative "Arab Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon" as announced by the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA). It aims to promote the development of sustainable solutions based on information and communication technology to combat corruption. This edition will be held in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Qatar's ACTA, and Microsoft Qatar, with the aim of cooperating with youth, promoting the development of sustainable solutions based on information and communication technology to combat corruption, and seeking to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

ACTA Chairman H E Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad confirmed that Qatar's sponsorship of the upcoming edition came from its pioneering role in strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, increasing efficiency and effectiveness in public administration, and providing services, in addition to increasing transparency, accountability and access to the governmental and public services. ACTA stated that the upcoming edition, which will take place in Qatar, will seek to achieve many results, including encouraging youth to participate in anti-corruption efforts, increasing youth employment opportunities, and promoting innovation and technology. It said that the upcoming edition would bring together computer programmers and others interested in information technology, especially people from 18 to 30 years old.

The "Coding4Integrity" initiative becomes one of the most important elements of the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (Grace) launched by the UNODC. It aims to benefit from youth energies and their innovative potential in developing technological solutions to combat problems regarding corruption affecting their local communities.

Microsoft Qatar, as part of this partnership, will provide direct support to more than 150 young programmers from participating countries. It will also help the participants benefit from Microsoft's expertise in the mentorship and technological innovation fields.