Damascus: A high-level delegation from the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), headed by Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, President of MENAFATF, and comprising Suleiman Al Jebrin, Executive Secretary of MENAFATF, and the Heads of MENAFATF's two Mutual Evaluation Teams, conducted an official visit to Damascus, the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic. The visit was undertaken to support the Syrian Arab Republic's preparations for the Mutual Evaluation process and enhance the effectiveness of its national framework for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
According to Emirates News Agency, during the visit, a high-level meeting was held with senior officials of the Syrian Arab Republic, including Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, and various relevant ministers. The meeting was attended by representatives of the competent national authorities, the Financial Intelligence Unit, judicial authorities, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory and supervisory authorities, as part of the country's preparations for the Mutual Evaluation process.
This high level of government participation reflected the Syrian Arab Republic's clear political commitment to supporting efforts to further develop the national framework and prepare for the Mutual Evaluation process in accordance with international standards. During the meeting, the Syrian authorities highlighted their efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the national framework and the level of coordination among the various competent authorities, in addition to the legislative and regulatory efforts and recently adopted institutional reforms.
The discussions emphasized the recently announced National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, which aims to strengthen integration among the competent authorities and reinforce institutional action based on risk management. The President of MENAFATF underscored the importance of high-level political commitment to ensuring the success of the Mutual Evaluation process.
The MENAFATF delegation commended the cooperation between MENAFATF and the Syrian Arab Republic and acknowledged the clear readiness and serious commitment demonstrated by the authorities at all stages of the evaluation. They also noted the ongoing development of the legislative and regulatory framework in line with international best practices.
Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, President of MENAFATF, remarked, 'This visit reflects our continued commitment to supporting member countries in developing their frameworks for combating money laundering and terrorist financing and enhancing their readiness for Mutual Evaluations, in accordance with the international standards issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).' He commended the launch of the National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing as a strategic step reflecting the national vision and political commitment to developing the national framework.
For his part, Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, affirmed that the visit represents an important milestone in developing the national framework for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. He highlighted the country's commitment to enhancing Syria's readiness for the Mutual Evaluation process in line with international standards.
The visit forms part of the priorities of the MENAFATF Presidency to support member countries preparing for Mutual Evaluations and enhance the effectiveness of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and counter-proliferation financing systems across the region.