Emirates Delegation of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Visits US

The Emirates Executive Office of Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing visited Washington, DC, to combat money laundering and secure the integrity of the global financial ecosystem. 

The UAE delegation met with various US officials, including the officers of the World Bank Group, the Institute of International Finance, the International Monetary Fund, and visited the Embassy of Emirates in the US. The meeting was arranged to discuss the ongoing collaboration between the two countries and how to adequately comply with the international AML derivatives. They visited the US with the aim of enhancing cooperation, exchanging information and expertise whilst enhancing the prosperous relationship between the countries. 

Hamid AlZaabi, the Director-General of the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Talal Al Tunaiji, Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, led this delegation. They also met with the Senior US Treasury and Department of Justice representatives. AlZaabi affirmed that the visit falls under the strategic collaboration between the US and the UAE to fight transnational financial crimes, including illicit drug trade and laundering of funds. The Director stated, “The United Arab Emirates and the United States of America are working closely to coordinate continuously through a strategic partnership to combat financial crimes and protect the global financial system and our national economies. I would like to thank our partners for the fruitful discussions on a range of topics, including the progress made by the UAE in the FATF action plan, global trends in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, recent developments in public-private partnerships, and joint training plans and capacity building.”

The committee also met with the World Bank Group seniors and examined the progress in the UAE risk assessment process, designed by the AML and CFT professionals with the assistance of the World Bank Group. In discussion with the International Monetary Fund officials, the delegation emphasised the AML and CFT activities. Senior officials also appreciate the UAE’s efforts to implement the latest anti-money laundering measures to protect financial institutes from various criminals. In the meeting with the IMF, they also discussed the worldwide innovations in the KYC and KYB to combat illicit activities through shell companies. They also reviewed the preparation of a virtual assets workshop, which will be held in November 2023 in Abu Dhabi. Alzabi added, “Undoubtedly, the joint projects we are working on contribute to strengthening our national systems. We’re also looking forward to participating in the Working Group of the Economic Policy Dialogue meeting between the United Arab Emirates and the United States to Combat Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in Washington, DC., next month. We’re also looking forward to welcoming our American partners to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, COP28, which will be held in November this year at Dubai Expo City, as well as in the Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2023 at the end of this year.” 

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