UNODC and the state authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan enhance cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

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On 2-3 February 2023, in Astana, Kazakhstan, UNODC conducted a round table “Experience of passing mutual evaluations: evaluation of the effectiveness of investigations, the interaction of competent authorities, confiscation and assets recovery” in a hybrid format at the premises of the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AFM). 

Over 50 representatives (18 women and 36 men) of the law enforcement and state authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan involved in the Eurasian group (EAG) on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, EAG Mutual Evaluation of Kazakhstan actively participated at the round table. 

International expert practitioners with experience in conducting mutual evaluations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) and the EAG Member States discussed important current issues at the event.

The country's competent authorities enhanced their knowledge of developing an effective AML and the countering TF system and prepared for the next phase of the mutual evaluation.

UNODC, within its global mandates and the framework of the Programme for Central Asia for 2022-2025, provides ongoing technical assistance to member states, including the Republic of Kazakhstan, in strengthening legal systems, policies and national strategies on AML and the countering TF. An essential component of such work is implementing the plan on practical measures for the development of cooperation and strengthening the potential of AFM and competent authorities of the country on counteracting ML/TF.

In the framework of the above-stated plan, in cooperation with the AFM, UNODC conducts events to improve the AML/CFT national system effectiveness. These events also contribute to successful EAG Mutual Evaluation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for compliance with the FATF international standards. 

This initiative is implemented within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme in Central Asia with expert support from the UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering and financial support from the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).