GIABA STRENGTHENS CAPACITY OF NATIONAL AML/CFT/PF POLICY COORDINATION COMMITTEES OF ITS MEMBER STATES

From 12^th to 14^th April 2023 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will be organizing a Regional Capacity Building Workshop for National Coordination Committees on AML/CFT Policies in its Member States.

In retrospect, Recommendation 2 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Anti-money Laundering, Counter Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/P) requires countries to adopt, among other things, national AML/CFT/PF policies. These must fully take into account all the categories of risks they face with a regular update. Countries should designate an authority or have a coordinating or other mechanism in charge of these national AML/CFT/PF policies; put in place mechanisms that will enable policy makers and other relevant authorities to cooperate, coordinate and exchange information at national level on the development and implementation of AML/CFT/PF policies and operational activities, as appropriate.

The upcoming workshop following this directive aims to build the capacity of IMCs/NCCs in developing policies, developing national strategies, coordinating national risk assessments and conducting mutual evaluations as well as information sharing. It will facilitate and contribute to: (i) Understanding the national AML/CFT/PF strategy development process as well as the roles and responsibilities of the IMCs/NCCs; (ii) Understand the mutual evaluation process and the role and responsibilities of IMCs/NCCs; (iii) Understand the national risk assessment process and the roles and responsibilities of IMCs/NCCs; (iv) Appreciate the challenges of formal and informal cooperation and how they can be overcome, including the exchange of information; and (v) Establish resource mobilization mechanisms to support the work of IMCs/NCCs.

The workshop will build on the outcomes of the IMC/NCC Forum held in Saly, Republic of Senegal, from 31^st October to 2^nd November 2022, during which an Evaluation Report on the functioning of IMC/ NCC was reviewed and recommendations proffered on the way forward.

This activity, which is a framework for sharing experience on best practices, will be organized in the form of a Round Table with thematic presentations that will be delivered by the GIABA Secretariat staff and regional experts. Other presentations on the Coordination mechanisms and National AML/CFT cooperation of GIABA countries will also be delivered by participants.

This workshop will provide an opportunity for the over forty senior representatives of IMCs/NCCs from GIABA Member States to understand (i) The development and evaluation of AML/CFT/FP policies; (ii) The coordination of National Risk Assessments; coordinating the development of the National Strategy/Action Plan; (iii) The coordination of Mutual Evaluations; (iv) Information exchange at both national and international levels as well as issues relating to resource mobilization to strengthen the functioning of IMCs/NCCs. The Workshop will serve as a platform for participants to share their views and experiences.

The Co-chairs of the Policy Development and Analysis Group (PDAG) will also take part in the discussions. They will also attend the workshop in view of its consultative nature.

For more information contact: abidjan@giaba.org