His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Rwandan President Paul Kagame honored the winners of the fourth edition of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award at a ceremony held at Kigali Convention Center Garden yesterday.

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, the awards ceremony is held each year on World Anti-Corruption Day (December 9). The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to fight systemic corruption and champion the message of anti-corruption among the people of the regions in which they operate.

This was the first time the annual Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award was organized in an African country. 

This year's edition was held in Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and supported by the government of Rwanda.

أشكر الرئيس بول كاغامي وحكومة رواندا لاستضافة حفل جائزة مكافحة الفساد لهذا العام. كما أشكر القائمين على الجائزة وأبارك للفائزين بها لجهودهم المميزة في محاربة هذه الآفة التي تعتبر أحد أكبر معوقات التنمية والنهوض الاقتصادي. pic.twitter.com/IZgvaYzI4N

— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) December 9, 2019

HH the Amir and the Rwandan president honored Dr Maria Krambia-Kapardis from Cyprus, Dr Alban Koki from Albania who won in the scientific research category, Jack Lumuba from the Democratic Republic of Congo, International Youth Musicians Association, Anora Alkanova and Kenneth Kaunda for the lifetime award.

The Rwandan president congratulated the award winners and all the candidates.

"Collectively, you represent the very best of the fearless spirit and determination required to sustain zero-tolerance against corruption," he said.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and President of the International Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohamed and John Brandolino from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also attended the award ceremony.

Additionally, Namibian President Hage Geingob, several members of the Supreme Committee and the Advisory Council which choose the award winners and several international personalities also participated in the event.

During his speech, President Kagame also praised the vision of HH the Amir for the creation of the "Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award."

He described the award's fourth edition as very important, adding that it indicates the importance of the countries' fight against corruption.

Monument of Anti-Corruption Excellence Award unveiled

Earlier, HH the Amir and President Kagame unveiled the monument of the 4th edition of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award in Kigali Convention Center Garden.

The sculpture symbolizes both the openness and the firm resolve needed to prevail in the fight against corruption, President Kagame said, expressing pride over placing it in the capital Kigali.

Rwanda has already started the anti-corruption journey, so this event will be an encouragement to end it, he added.

The monument, shaped like a hand of steel, echoes the solidarity of all the nations of the world as one hand, for all cooperating to combat corruption.

Qatar and Rwanda ink aviation deals

HH the Amir and President Kagame also witnessed the signing of three agreements between the governments of the two countries, on the sidelines of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony.

The deals include:

- an acquisition agreement of 60 percent of Bugesera Airport shares

- a shareholders' agreement

- a guarantee agreement between Qatar Airways and the Rwandan air transport company

Members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Amir and some Rwandan ministers and ranking officials took part in the signing ceremonies. 

HH the Amir left Kigali in the evening and was seen off at Kigali International Airport by President Kagame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda Vincent Biruta, Mayor of Kigali Pudence Rubingisa, and Qatar's ambassador to Rwanda Abdullah Mohamed Al Sayed.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: QNA