AKIPRESS.COM - An OSCE-organized workshop on a National Risk Assessment of money laundering and terrorism financing for officials from 15 different ministries and agencies involved in the implementation of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism standards in Uzbekistan took place on September 22 in Tashkent.

The two-day seminar was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in partnership with the Financial Intelligence Unit of Uzbekistan, and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG).

Some 60 participants from various ministries, committees, law-enforcement agencies and financial supervisory authorities in Uzbekistan discussed best practices of the National Risk Assessment’s implementation in the OSCE region.

“Criminals nowadays tend to improve their money laundering techniques and thus it is of crucial importance for states to conduct an on-going assessment in order to identify weak spots. The OSCE is providing a platform to exchange best practices and lessons learnt for a better implementation of such assessments” said György Szabo, the Head of Mission of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

“Financial crime is transnational, and both criminals and the proceeds of crime easily cross borders. Therefore, it is important for intelligence services, prosecutors and financial supervisory authorities to stay abreast of the latest developments, and to engage in inter-agency and international co-operation to pursue both criminals and their money.”

Experts from Italy, Serbia, Kazakhstan, and international organizations shared their knowledge and views on the matter.

The workshops explored how the Financial Action Task Force’s recommendations strengthen global safeguards and provide governments with stronger tools to take action against financial crime.