UAE participates in Eurasian Group’s Plenary Meeting on Anti-Money Laundering

The United Arab Emirates participated in the 42nd Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering (EAG) and its accompanying forum, which was co-organised by the Eurasian Group and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) in Moscow, Russia.

The joint forum on regulation and risks marked the first-ever event to bring together two regional FATF-style bodies, reflecting the growing strategic partnership and international cooperation in addressing global risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. The forum focused on the theme “Risk Management in the Era of Modern Technology,” with participation from over 200 high-level representatives from anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing authorities, regulatory bodies, financial intelligence units, the private sector, international organizations, and academia.

The UAE delegation was led by Hamid Al Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the UAE’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee, and Vice President of MENAFATF. He also participated in the main panel discussion titled “Future Trends – Global Challenges and Digital Threats.”

The UAE delegation, also attending as an observer to the Eurasian Group, showcased the latest developments in the country’s efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, including national initiatives leveraging artificial intelligence and digital innovation to strengthen the UAE’s capabilities in tackling financial crimes.

As part of the visit, the UAE Embassy in Moscow hosted a “Youth Circle” session, where Al Zaabi delivered an awareness presentation to Emirati youth and scholarship students. The session focused on sharing knowledge about the UAE’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework, while highlighting promising career opportunities in this vital sector, which is closely tied to financial system integrity and national security.

The forum provided a high-level platform for dialogue on evolving regulatory approaches, public-private partnership strategies, and regulatory responses to technological change. It also contributed to enhancing cooperation between the Eurasian and Middle East and North Africa regions in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.