https://www.wam.ae/article/b5exntl-asia-pacific-group-money-laundering-concludes-2024

ABU DHABI, 28th September, 2024 (WAM) -- The Asia Pacific Group on Anti-Money Laundering (APG) Annual Meeting 2024 concluded successfully in Abu Dhabi after six days of deliberations.

With 450 delegates from various regions in attendance, the meeting aimed to enhance efforts to combat financial crime across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. This marks the first time the APG Annual Meeting has been hosted in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The UAE, the first Arab country to join the APG as an observer, organised the event through the National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations (NAMLCFTC).

The official opening ceremony was attended by Khalid Mohammed Balama, Governor of the UAE Central Bank and Chairman of the National Committee(NAMLCFTC), and Hamed Saif Al Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee, along with senior officials and members from the UAE's AML/CFT governments.

Hamed Al Zaabi emphasised the UAE’s role as a key partner in the global fight against financial crime, particularly in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation. “The UAE recognises that addressing emerging financial threats in today’s rapidly digitalising world requires robust and coordinated international efforts," he stated.

“This gathering underscores the global nature of financial crimes, and the UAE is committed to collaborating with international partners to protect the global financial system from exploitation.”

APG Co-Chairs Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney and Assistant Deputy Minister Julien Brazeau jointly said,

“The 2024 APG Annual Meeting in Abu Dhabi has been a wonderful opportunity for members and observers to meet in person and discuss strategic issues and adopt important mutual evaluation reports. We kindly thank our hosts, the NAMLCFTC, for their warm hospitality and for facilitating these successful outcomes for the APG, it has been a very special event.”

At this year’s APG Annual Meeting, five mutual evaluation reports were adopted, namely the reports of Nauru, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the joint FATF/APG/EAG mutual evaluation of India. The APG membership also discussed key strategic and governance issues to ensure the continued success of the APG over the coming years.

The Technical Assistance & Training Forum was held alongside the plenary meetings and involved a number of meetings to connect APG members with donors and providers of technical assistance.

These meetings greatly assist jurisdictions to coordinate the technical assistance and training needed to strengthen their AML/CFT regimes.