Working Groups, Committees, and Forum meetings of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) commenced their this morning, until May 7th, in preparation for the MENAFATF 42nd Plenary next week. These groups, committees, and forums are attended by experts from member countries and observers of MENAFATF, as well as regional and international organizations specializing in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Joint Forum of Supervisory Authorities and the Private Sector commenced on the morning of Wednesday, 22 April 2026, under the patronage of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), and in cooperation with the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG), the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), and the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The forum was held under the theme: “Reasonable Balance and Trust-Based Dialogue.”
The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), chaired by H.E. Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, President of MENAFATF, and H.E. Mr. Suliman Aljabin, Executive Secretary of MENAFATF—participated in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Ministerial Meeting. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings this week in Washington, D.C.
The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to continuing its collaborative work with member countries and international partners to fulfill its mandate and achieve its objectives. This includes enhancing the readiness of member countries for the next round of mutual evaluations and ensuring the continued adoption and effective implementation of international standards in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons.
We are pleased to highlight the recent interview with H.E. Hamid AlZaabi, MENAFATF President with AML Intelligence, where he sets out the strategic direction of the MENAFATF Presidency for 2026 — focused on strengthening regional systems, enhancing global influence, and delivering measurable results in the fight against illicit finance.
Key subject from the interview include:
H.E. Hamid Al Zaabi, President of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), participated in the proceedings of the Second Arab Fraud Combating Summit, which was held in Luxor, Arab Republic of Egypt, from 29 to 31 January 2026. He emphasized the importance of strengthening regional and international cooperation to confront fraud-related crimes, and of integrating anti-fraud efforts within comprehensive frameworks for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, in a manner that contributes to safeguarding financial and economic stability.
MENAFATF Advisory Committee held its first meeting in 2026, held over two days on 12 and 13 January in Abu Dhabi, chaired by H.E. Hamid Al Zaabi, President of MENAFATF. The agenda for the first day included visits to the Emirates Institute for Financial Studies and the Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy, highlighting the importance of capacity building, reviewing governance and regulatory enhancement mechanisms, and exchanging expertise.
The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) is pleased to welcome H.E. Mr. Hamid Saif Al Zaabi as President of MENAFATF for 2026, and H.E. Sheikha May bint Mohammed Al Khalifa as Vice President, wishing them every success in continuing to strengthen the MENAFATF’s role at the regional level.