● The adoption of five strategic priorities of shared importance in an unprecedented step at the regional group level.
Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, January 6, 2025 – The leadership of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) meet under the chairmanship of Her Excellency Samia Abu Sharif, Member of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and Head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Unit in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, alongside the Vice-Chairman of the Group, His Excellency Hamed Saif Al-Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice-Chairman of the UAE National Committee for Combating Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and the Financing of Illegal Organizations (GS-NAMLCFTC), and attendance of His Excellency Suliman bin Rashid AlJabin, Executive Secretary of the Group, to develop executive plans to implement their joint strategic priorities for the presidency of the group by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. These priorities, which were identified and approved during the 39th MENAFATF Plenary in November 2024, and built on the outstanding achievements of the Yemeni presidency in 2024.
The joint priorities of the Regional Group Chair will concentrate on strengthening the effectiveness of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism efforts across the MENA region. The five priorities include:
● Enhancing the role of the MENAFATF in preparing and implementing the third round of the mutual evaluation process, while providing support to member states undergoing the evaluation.
● Strengthening the governance framework of the group.
● Continuing to assist in the implementation and completion of the FATF recommendations action plan, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the group’s procedures and ensuring they are clearer and more targeted in achieving the recommendations.
● Fostering cooperation, communication, and coordination with international and regional partners, as well as other regional bodies, in alignment with the group’s strategic and operational plans.
● Intensifying efforts to implement international standards by identifying and understanding the risks, trends, and methods associated with money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of the proliferation of weapons.
H.E. Samya Abu Shareef, member of the National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and President of the AML/CFT Unit of Jordan, will serve as MENAFATF President for 2025. While H.E. Hamid AlZaabi, Secretary General and Vice Chair of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organizations Committee (NAMLCFTC), will take on the role of Vice President in 2025 and President in 2026.
Commenting on Jordan assuming the Presidency, H.E. Samya Abu Shareef highlighted: “These joint priorities of the MENAFATF presidency chart an ambitious path to enhance the strategic direction, vision and future priorities of the group, which will contribute to achieving the vision of our two countries during their presidency for the years 2025 and 2026 in an effective and fruitful manner. We shall continue to implement and achieve the objectives of the MENAFATF in cooperation with all member states, international observers and counterpart regional bodies around the world. I would like to thank His Excellency Hamed Saif Al Zaabi for his pivotal efforts and cooperation in this important step, and I look forward to the prosperous prospects that will result from this unique cooperation as a bilateral partnership based on a solid foundation of cooperation and coordination across priority areas to direct and enhance regional efforts to combat transnational financial crime.”
H.E. Hamed Al Zaabi stated: "I am honored to assume this responsibility alongside my distinguished colleague, H.E. Abu Shareef. The MENA region is significantly enhancing its capabilities to combat financial crimes, and we are committed to advancing impactful initiatives in the feild, including the regional asset recovery network. The UAE takes great pride in its active role within the MENAFATF, firmly dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system. I am confident that our collective focus on these five strategic priorities will drive meaningful progress in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, while contributing to the security and stability of both our region and the world.”
H.E. Suliman AlJabrIn, Executive Secretary of the MENAFATF, emphasized the significance of the joint initiative between the current presidency of the group, represented by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the upcoming presidency, represented by the United Arab Emirates. This initiative is especially timely as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the group's establishment. His Excellency highlighted the importance of adopting practices that bolster both the group and the region in addressing the evolving challenges of combating money laundering and terrorist financing. He further stressed the need to implement medium-term strategic plans that align with the group's goals, aspirations, and efforts in tackling these financial crimes.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, both founding members of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) since 2004, have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting and advancing the group’s objectives. MENAFATF now comprises 21 member countries from the Middle East and North Africa, along with 18 observer countries, all playing key roles in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of proliferation. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the implementation of FATF recommendations and standards, raising the level of compliance, and strengthening regional and global cooperation.
In this context, the United Arab Emirates and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are dedicated to bolstering the group’s contribution to global financial integrity while furthering regional initiatives to mitigate the risks of financial crimes.
In this context, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates aim to strengthen the Group’s contribution to global financial integrity and bolster regional efforts to mitigate financial crime risks.
For more information
Jordan, AMLU: info@amlu.gov.jo
UAE, GS-NAMLCFTC: Aliya.Almheiri@amlctf.gov.ae
MENAFATF SECRITATRIAT: info@menafatf.org
About the General Secertariat of the UAE National Anti Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee (GS-NAMLCFTC) The National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee (NAMLCFTC) was established in 2002 under the amended Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2018. It serves as the UAE's primary policymaker for countering money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. NAMLCFTC is responsible for developing the National Strategy for AML/CFT/CFP, proposing regulations, assessing risks, identifying high-risk countries, and ensuring compliance among financial institutions and other sectors. The committee also facilitates information exchange, evaluates regulatory effectiveness, and represents the UAE in international AML/CTF forums. It works closely with the Supreme Committee Overseeing the Implementation of the National Strategy, chaired by H.H Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to align the UAE’s legal framework with international standards.
About the Jordanian National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law No. (20) of 2021, the main body responsible for formulating the general policy for combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons in Jordan has been established. This body is the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Committee, chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan. The Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit works on implementing the policies of the National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing at the national and international levels and takes the necessary actions to ensure the required coordination for the implementation and sustainability of the anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, and weapons proliferation financing system in Jordan.
The National Committee includes most of the national bodies responsible for combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons, whose roles and tasks align to achieve the highest levels of coordination and national cooperation in combating these crimes and formulating the necessary policies. The National Committee also assumes any tasks and powers related to combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of weapons of mass destruction proliferation. Notably, it develops national strategies, adopts the necessary plans for their implementation in light of the risks of money laundering and terrorism financing in the Kingdom, monitors global developments in this field, and proposes the necessary actions in respons.
About the MENAFATF The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) is a voluntary and cooperative entity, independent from any other international organization or body. It was established on November 30, 2004, through an agreement among the governments of 14 Arab nations, with the aim of combating money laundering and terrorist financing. MENAFATF operates in a manner similar to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and is headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain.