UAE Delegation Concludes Four-Day Mission to Strengthen Financial Crime Cooperation with US
Washington, DC., The Gulf Observer: A high-level delegation from the UAE, led by the General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illicit Organisations (GS-NAMLCFTC), concluded a four-day mission in Washington, DC, aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation in combating financial crime and safeguarding international financial security.
The delegation, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, and other entities, engaged with senior officials from key US agencies, including the Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the IRS Criminal Investigation unit (IRS-CI), and the FBI. Meetings were also held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Hamid Saif AlZaabi, Secretary-General of GS-NAMLCFTC and Vice Chairman of the delegation, underscored the significance of UAE-US collaboration in combating financial crimes.
“The UAE and the United States enjoy a strong strategic partnership based on shared values in combating financial crimes and enhancing economic security. Our discussions this week focused on strengthening technical cooperation, developing international partnerships, and reinforcing regulatory frameworks to counter increasingly complex illicit financial flows,” AlZaabi stated.
The agenda included reviewing bilateral initiatives on priority issues such as cross-border asset recovery, risks associated with virtual assets, and public-private partnerships to enhance regulatory coordination.
As part of the program, a roundtable discussion was organized by the US-UAE Business Council in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Washington. The session provided US private sector stakeholders with insights into the UAE’s National Strategy and its strategic initiatives for combating financial crime, promoting a secure business environment, and fostering shared economic growth.
The delegation also participated in the Joint Task Force to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing meeting, co-hosted by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Treasury Department, to review developments and advance joint efforts on key priorities.
AlZaabi highlighted the UAE’s commitment to strengthening global financial systems, noting the nation’s role as a major trade partner for the US, with bilateral trade reaching $31.4 billion in 2023.
The mission reaffirmed the shared resolve of the UAE and the US to enhance international financial security through robust cooperation, regulatory innovation, and collaborative initiatives.
