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President Santiago Peña received the Chairman of the UAE Accountability Authority during a meeting that focused on advancing Paraguay’s anti-corruption initiatives, the Paraguayan presidency said in a statement. The discussions highlighted plans to incorporate digital tools, transparency measures and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in public expenditure and build a stronger culture of accountability. Also present were Comptroller General Camilo Benítez, who oversees state resource oversight, and presidential chief of staff Javier Giménez along with technical teams from both sides, according to the official account of the encounter.
Peña outlined the objectives in a social media post following the meeting, noting that the session sought to move forward with the proposal Paraguay is promoting on anti-corruption matters. “The investment in digitalization, transparency, integrity and artificial intelligence constitutes a transcendental step to achieve a more efficient state in the public spending and to consolidate our culture of accountability,” Peña stated. The Paraguayan leader further pointed to the solid relationship developed with the UAE and its support for Paraguay in improving public spending, strengthening the economy and encouraging foreign investment, he added in the post.
The UAE Accountability Authority has established itself as a key institution in promoting government transparency, according to reports on its international engagements. On 20 May 2025 the authority secured election to the Executive Board of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, a BRICS Kazan Summit compliance document noted. This global role provides a foundation for sharing expertise with partner nations such as Paraguay on accountability frameworks.
Paraguay’s government has prioritized modernization of public administration to address governance challenges, officials have indicated in multiple briefings. The partnership with the UAE forms part of those efforts, which aim to elevate the country’s position in international evaluations of transparency and efficiency. Such collaborations align with regional trends in Latin America where several nations have sought Gulf expertise to enhance institutional controls.
Bilateral relations between the UAE and Paraguay have expanded since diplomatic ties were formalized, with cooperation extending into economic and technical fields, according to foreign ministry summaries from both countries. Peña’s earlier working visit to the UAE in February 2026 to attend the World Governments Summit helped lay additional groundwork for ongoing dialogues, a statement from the UAE President’s office reported at the time. The latest meeting builds on that foundation by targeting specific governance reforms that could facilitate greater investment flows.
Technical teams from the UAE Accountability Authority and Paraguayan institutions are set to maintain follow-up contacts after the Asunción meeting, the presidency statement indicated. The discussions also touched on potential alignment in integrity standards that could benefit joint projects in sectors including agriculture and infrastructure. Data from regional economic reviews place growing emphasis on how improved accountability correlates with increased investor confidence in emerging markets.
