AMMAN, 9th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The UAE participated in the 40th Plenary Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), held in Amman, Jordan from 4th to 8th May.

The UAE delegation was led by Hamid Saif AlZaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC), and the Vice President of the (MENAFATF).

The delegation included representatives from the National Committee, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, and other relevant authorities.

This plenary marks the first meeting under the joint UAE-Jordan presidency priorities for the 2025-2026 term. Samia Abu Sharif of Jordan currently serves as President of MENAFATF, with Al Zaabi serving as Vice President. The shared priorities demonstrate a renewed regional commitment to advancing the fight against financial crime and strengthening AML/CFT systems across the region.

As part of its participation, the UAE presented several working papers, including one on the role of the private sector in countering terrorist financing, a presentation by the Ministry of Justice on the Smart Monitoring System and its role in addressing emerging risks, and a joint paper with the Kingdom of Morocco outlining best practices in national risk assessment.

Commenting on the UAE's engagement, Al Zaabi stated, "The UAE's participation in the meetings of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) reflects the country's ongoing commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in combating financial crimes.

These meetings serve as a key platform to advance our national priorities, reinforce regional partnerships, and contribute to building a more efficient and transparent financial system. They also support our continuous efforts to counter illicit financing and transnational crimes, further solidifying the UAE's position as a trusted global financial hub."

The UAE and Jordan previously identified five strategic joint priorities to guide MENAFATF's efforts during the shared presidency term, which include supporting member countries in preparing for the upcoming round of mutual evaluations, enhancing MENAFATF's internal governance structures, and strengthening implementation of FATF recommendations.

The priorities also include boosting strategic cooperation with international and regional partners, and developing advanced methods for risk monitoring in areas such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.

The plenary's agenda included key sessions such as the Risk Trends and Typologies Group, the Working Group on Methodologies and Capacity Building, and the Mutual Evaluation Working Group.

The general sessions focused on strategic priorities, approval of evaluation reports, and enhancing regional coordination to address emerging financial risks.

Established in 2004, the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) is a regional organisation modeled after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It consists of 21 member states and 18 observer organisations and plays a leading role in coordinating regional efforts to prevent and detect illicit financial flows in line with international standards.