Onsite mission Strategic approach and Gaming:
2023-10-16 - 2023-10-20
The EU Global Facility is also in Mozambique 🇲🇿 this week, delivering activities to enhance the partner country’s capacity to meet International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) requirements.
The strategic approach activities, led by our Key Expert on Regulation/FIU Arnaud STIEN aims to address the pressing needs of Mozambican authorities, specifically in the key areas of national coordination and ICRG reporting and the gaming sector.
The four-day programme has a dual-fold purpose:
✅ National Coordination Committee and Gaming Supervisors Capacity Building: The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance Mozambique’s authorities’ comprehension of the ICRG requirements and to reinforce a culture of compliance with these standards.
Experts will do so by delivering briefing sessions on strategic approaches, coordination and cooperation mechanisms, as well as the implementation of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) strategies and policies.
In parallel, a training will be targeted at the gaming sector, whereby participants will learn about the application of a risk-based approach to Gaming Supervisors and casinos will engage to best understand their risks and obligations.
✅ ICRG Monitoring Cycle and Joint Group Reporting: The sessions will delve into the specific actions required at each stage of the ICRG monitoring cycle and provide comprehensive training on reporting to the Joint Group.
In addition, a dedicated session will engage senior officials in discussions regarding the operation of the Technical Assistance Coordination Committee (TACC) and the Technical Assistance (TA) matrix.

Final Conference on Legal approaches to evidentiary challenges in money laundering prosecutions and confiscation proceedings in Siracusa
2023-10-17 - 2023-10-18 | Siracusa, Italy, Siracusa, Italy
The EU Global Facility on AML/CFT is pleased to announce the launch of the “Final Conference: Legal Approaches to Evidentiary Challenges in Money Laundering Prosecutions and Confiscation Proceedings” in collaboration with the The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights .
Held in Siracusa, Italy on October 17-18, 2023, the event brings together an esteemed group of experts and leaders in the field to address the crucial issues surrounding money laundering prosecutions and the confiscation of criminal proceeds.
Over the span of two days, attendees will engage in a series of thought-provoking sessions starting with a session on the intricacies of Evidentiary Challenges in Prosecuting Money Laundering and Confiscating the Proceeds of Crime.
Session 2 will then feature the unveiling of a significant publication, fruit of a yearlong working process that encompassed a far-reaching study on existing good practice that alleviate the burden of proof in money laundering investigations and asset recovery procedures. This publication is expected to provide a valuable resource for the work of relevant global and regional institutions (e.g. FATF, FSRBs, EU and UN relevant structures etc.), as well as national authorities and justice sectors.
The following sessions will be dedicated to (i) the exploration of Effective Mechanisms for the Prosecution of Money Laundering, (ii) Effective Mechanisms to Confiscate the Proceeds of Crime, (iii) Asymmetry in Legal Approaches and International Cooperation: Challenges and Best Practices, and (iv) Common Constitutional Challenges to Alternative Approaches to Money Laundering and Confiscation.
The event will conclude with insightful remarks from EU Global Facility Team Leader David Hotte, President of the Siracusa International Institute Jean-François Thony, and EU Global Facility Key Expert on Justice/CSOs Mamuka JGENTI, summing up what promises to be a valuable and informative conference.
This activity is part of a series of activities organised by the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT and the Siracusa Institute aimed at strengthening international judicial co-operation and the efficient application of existing MLA standards and international instruments by judges and prosecutors.

Scoping mission and first technical assistance activity of the EU Global Facility to Angola
2023-10-23 - 2023-10-26 | Angola, Angola
The EU Global Facility is thrilled to announce the launch of technical assistance to its new partner state Angola 🇦🇴.
After a recent request submitted by the authorities of Angola in the summer of 2023, and the online consultation organised with Angolan stakeholders and the #EU Delegation in August, the EU Global Facility is conducting a scoping mission to Angola this week.
The team will be engaging with the various authorities involved in the country’s AML/CFT frameworks to best assess their needs and chart a roadmap for future Technical Assistance that will help enhance the transparency and effectiveness of Angola’s financial systems. It shall also serve as an occasion to meet with other TA providers to ensure complementarity of action and avoid duplication of work.
In parallel of these meetings, the EU Global Facility is also delivering its very first activity to Angolan partners, focused on the topic of #BeneficialOwnership. During this initial scoping exercise, our Key Expert on BO Alexandre Taymans, alongside experts Igor Bereza and Julie Lefèvre are helping local authorities strategise and plan the implementation, management, and enforcement of the country’s BO Register.
Here’s a snapshot of their schedule:
🗓️ Day 1: Engaging with high-level authorities, fostering cooperation, and establishing crucial partnerships on the topic of BO.
🗓️ Day 2: Assessing and providing training on the BO general framework to build a solid knowledge base.
🗓️ Day 3 & 4: Focusing on the design, implementation, and management of the Beneficial Ownership Register, ensuring it operates seamlessly and effectively.

Work meeting on NPO Sectoral Risk Assessment for Trinidad and Tobago
2023-11-01 | Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Yesterday, the EU Global Facility experts held a pivotal working meeting with Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 focusing on the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) Sectoral Risk Assessment.
The meeting aimed to help representatives of the partner state to refine and finalise the NPO Sectoral RA in otder to align the national strategies on the not-for-profit sector with global best practices, ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago can effectively manage and mitigate risks associated with the NPO sector.
Our team provided detailed analyses and comments on the draft document, which has been meticulously developed by the local authorities using the World Bank methodology.
This meeting comes as part of the collaborative effort started back in February 2023, whereby the EU Global Facility jointly developed a roadmap for technical assistance activities aimed at supporting Trinidad’s local authorities in enhancing their compliance with FATF standards.
Key activities delivered so far include work on the implementation of a Sanction Policy Manual, support to the gaming sector and various e-training on FATF Recommendation 8.

Regional Conference on Beneficial Ownership in Argentina - EU Global Facility/BID/GAFILAT/Argentina
2023-11-07 - 2023-11-09 | Argentina, Argentina
The EU Global Facility, the Inter-American Development Bank and GAFILAT, in cooperation with the Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos de la Nación of Argentina today launched a regional conference on Beneficial Ownership in Buenos Aires for 18 countries of the region.
Held under the title “Synergies between beneficial ownership transparency, tax crimes, and the fight against ML/TF”, the event brings together 80 representatives from Argentina, Brasil 🇧🇷, #Bolivia 🇧🇴, #Chile 🇨🇱, #Colombia 🇨🇴, #Cuba 🇨🇺, #CostaRica 🇨🇷, #Ecuador 🇪🇨, #ElSalvador 🇸🇻, #Guatemala 🇬🇹, #Honduras 🇭🇳, #México 🇲🇽, #Nicaragua 🇳🇮, #Panamá 🇵🇦, #Paraguay 🇵🇾, #Perú 🇵🇪, #RepúblicaDominicana 🇩🇴 and #Uruguay 🇺🇾.
Over the course of three days, participants will explore the utilisation and advantages of BO information for three key stakeholders: BO registries, Financial Intelligence Units, and Tax authorities.
The first day, designed in a conference format, will lay the groundwork for the event, elucidating its context and objectives with presentation from the FATF, OECD, Global Forum, IDB, IMF, World Bank and CIAT. On the second day, experts will deeper into specific topics such as the establishment and management of Beneficial Ownership Registers, the exchange of BO information with third parties, and group discussions on the application of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEI) and Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR). Participants will also develop an action plan to facilitate the sharing of BO information within a jurisdiction.
As the event progresses to its final day, the focus will shift towards ongoing research and case study discussions. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for all participants to reflect on the way forward and brainstorm what a follow-up event might entail.

Regional conference on use of AML/CFT in Investigation of Art & Antiquities Criminality in Cambodia
2024-11-27 - 2024-11-29 | cambodia, Cambodia
Siem Reap, Cambodia, 27 November 2024 – Representatives from 10 Asian countries have convened in Siem Reap, home of the renowned Angkor World Heritage Site, for the third edition of a global series of events aimed at curbing the illicit trade of cultural properties. Organised by the EU Global Facility on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing with support from the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU), this conference is a pivotal gathering in the fight against cultural heritage crimes.
Addressing the intersection of cultural heritage crime and financial criminality, this meeting -titled “The Use of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism in the Investigation of Art and Antiquities Criminality”- will offer workshops led by international experts and case studies exploring trafficking routes and criminal methods. Discussions will aim to enhance interagency cooperation and knowledge sharing to monitor and investigate illicit trade routes and the role of AML/CFT strategies in protecting cultural properties.
Opening the event, the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia Serey Chea extended her “heartfelt appreciation to the EU Global Facility and the APG for entrusting Cambodia to host this regional conference” and welcomed all participants to Siem Reap. She stated: “[the] regional conference serves as an essential platform for participants […] to exchange information and share best practices in combating illicit activities in the art and antiquities market, as well as strengthen collaborations”.
Set in one of the world’s most historically significant locations, the conference brings together over 70 high-level participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, alongside representatives from the EU and INTERPOL. The regional conference – which follows two successful iterations in Egypt and Mexico – will solidify outcomes from prior gatherings and refine strategies to curb the illicit circulation of cultural assets.
EU’s Ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans, stated: “Protecting cultural heritage is not just about preserving the past; it is about securing our shared future. By targeting the financial crimes underpinning the illicit trade of art and antiquities, we not only disrupt criminal networks but also strengthen the cultural and economic integrity of our societies. This conference is a testament to the European Union’s unwavering commitment to supporting Cambodia and the ASEAN region in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, particularly in the realm of art and antiquities crimes.” Team Leader of the EU AML/CFT Global Facility, David Hotte stated: “Bringing experts from diverse backgrounds under one roof in Siem Reap allows us to tackle the complex challenges of art and antiquities-related crimes effectively. This event underscores the collective resolve to protect Asia’s rich heritage from the dual threats of organised crime and financial exploitation.”
Suzie White A/g Deputy Executive Secretary of the APG, acknowledged: “This event should help us to address many of the challenges to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing risks in the markets for art, antiquities and other cultural objects. These markets are vulnerable to abuse by criminals, including organised crime groups and terrorists, who seek to generate or launder proceeds of crime to fund their activities. This involves the use of cash, third party intermediaries, shell companies and other complex corporate structures. This landmark Regional Conference highlights opportunities to address these challenges in our region. The APG welcomes the opportunity to partner with the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT, and the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit, to help combat illicit trade and related money laundering in the art and antiquities market.”
The conference is expected to further raise awareness on safeguarding heritage and foster regional collaboration in response to evolving threats in the art and antiquities sectors. By uniting public and private sector representatives, it seeks to equip all stakeholders to effectively counteract illicit financial activities, securing the cultural heritage of Asia and beyond.
