Corruption and Sustainable Development: El-Oued Hosts the Debate

El-Oued, Algeria – The city of El-Oued has become the focal point for a critical discussion on corruption's pervasive threat to sustainable development, hosting the 28th international seminar dedicated to this pressing issue. Organized by the High Authority for Transparency, Prevention, and Fight Against Corruption (HATPLC) and the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Chahid Hamma-Lakhdar University, the event convened experts, academics, and decision-makers to confront a challenge that undermines state institutions and public trust.

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Corruption is no longer a simple deviation, but a structural threat to the modern state.

Salima Mousserati, president of the HATPLC, delivered a stark opening address, characterizing corruption not merely as deviant behavior but as a 'structural threat' to the modern state. She emphasized how this 'complex phenomenon' erodes the bond between citizens and their government, crippling the effectiveness of public policies. This sobering assessment underscores the seminar's ambition to move beyond academic discourse toward tangible solutions.

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Institutions weakened, citizen trust eroded, governance fragile: corruption is no longer a simple deviation, but a structural threat to the modern state.

The seminar's focus on aligning anti-corruption efforts with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and effective institutions), signals Algeria's commitment to international standards. The discussions are intended to shape the nation's second anti-corruption strategy, aiming for more effective and innovative approaches.

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It has become a 'complex phenomenon' and a 'structural threat' that attacks the very foundations of the state, strains the link between the citizen and his institutions, and undermines the effectiveness of public policies.

This initiative highlights a crucial partnership between academia and state institutions in Algeria, demonstrating a concerted effort to tackle corruption head-on. By bringing this vital dialogue to El-Oued, the HATPLC underscores the national scope of the problem and the collective responsibility to address it, reinforcing Algeria's dedication to building a more transparent and accountable future.

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A 'global and integrated' strategy, uniting public actors, economic operators, and civil society around a common roadmap.