WAM
12 Nov 2025, 18:15 GMT+10
MANAMA, 12th November, 2025 (WAM) -- The 41st Plenary Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) concluded today in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, following a week of intensive discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
The meetings brought together high-level delegations from MENAFATF member states, observers, and international partners. Sessions included the Financial Intelligence Units Forum, Risk Committee, Operational Forum on Terrorist Financing, Mutual Evaluation Working Group, and Technical Assistance and Typologies Working Group.
The Plenary concluded with the formal announcement that the United Arab Emirates will assume the Presidency of MENAFATF effective January 2026, with Hamid AlZaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Proliferation Committee (NAMLCFTPFC), appointed as President for the UAE's term.
Hamid AlZaabi remarked, "The United Arab Emirates is honoured to assume the Presidency of MENAFATF for 2026 which is an important responsibility reflecting the confidence of member states and the UAE's standing as a leader in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to Samya Abou Sherif for her inspiring leadership, which has contributed significantly to the Group's progress this year. Under the joint UAE-Bahrain Presidency, we will build on this strong foundation to advance the regional action plan with greater depth and effectiveness.
"Our priorities will focus on strengthening international and regional cooperation, empowering the MENAFATF Secretariat to deliver lasting impact, and ensuring member states are fully prepared for the fifth round of mutual evaluations."
MENAFATF was established in 2004 and brings together 21 member states united by a shared commitment to protecting the integrity of their financial systems and economies. As Chair, the UAE will continue to promote regional efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, and to enhance compliance with global standards.
Shared priorities under the UAE-Bahrain Presidency:
*Strengthening the Group's role in preparing and supporting member states for the third round of the mutual evaluation process.
*Continuing to enhance the Group's governance framework.
*Supporting the implementation and completion of the FATF recommendations' action plan to increase effectiveness and clarity of the Group's procedures.
*Enhancing cooperation and coordination with international and regional partners, observers, and FATF-Style Regional Bodies in line with MENAFATF's strategic and work plans, to better support member state priorities and improve effectiveness outcomes.
*Strengthening implementation of international standards by identifying and understanding risks, trends, and typologies of money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
*Supporting the logistical resources allocated to the MENAFATF Secretariat headquarters.
Through its Presidency, the UAE reaffirms its steadfast commitment to supporting regional and international efforts to safeguard the global financial system from financial crime. The UAE aims to strengthen cooperation and integration among regional partners and to build a more efficient and resilient framework capable of addressing emerging challenges. This reflects the country's active position within the global FATF network and its leadership in promoting transparency, integrity, and compliance with international standards.
The UAE delegation concluded its participation by expressing appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the successful meetings and to the MENAFATF Secretariat for its ongoing efforts to advance regional cooperation and support member states.
Get a daily dose of Arab Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Arab Herald.
More InformationTehran [Iran], November 12 (ANI): Iran on Wednesday offered formal condolences to India over the tragic blast near Delhi's iconic Red...
Islamabad [Pakistan], November 12 (ANI): Pakistan's National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday resumed its crucial session, with the lower...
New Delhi [India], November 12 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted the Central government and other respondents three...
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], November 11 (ANI): After seven years, global humanitarian and spiritual master Gurudev Sri Sri...
ABU DHABI, 11th November, 2025 (WAM) -- Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received a...
ABU DHABI, 11th November, 2025 (WAM) -- Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, met today with Saeed Khatibzadeh,...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: U.S. President Donald Trump has been promoting the idea of Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, but such...
The missive from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office landed not with a bang, but with the dry, precise language of international...
MANAMA, 12th November, 2025 (WAM) -- The 41st Plenary Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)...
Washington, DC [US], November 12 (ANI): The trailer for Marta Bergman's drama 'L'enfant belier' (The Silent Run), ahead of its world...
Tel Aviv [Israel], November 12 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday expressed his condolences to Prime Minister...
MADINAH, 12th November, 2025 (WAM) -- Etihad Airways has commenced flights from Abu Dhabi to Madinah this week, further expanding the...
