Law-enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan developed their capacity on combating money laundering and terrorism financing

On August 24-26, 2022 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted a 3-day seminar for law-enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan to strengthen their capacity on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The event brought together over 40 representatives of Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Agency on Financial Monitoring, the Agency for Countering Corruption, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Courts, and the Committee of National Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In the course of the seminar the parties have considered important aspects in conducting parallel financial investigations, the practice of international and interdepartmental cooperation, risks of money laundering and terrorism financing. This event is the logical continuation of the systemic work carried out by the Kazakh Agency on Financial Monitoring in the run-up to the on-site mission of international experts as part of the mutual evaluation of Kazakhstan by the Eurasian group on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism (EAG) for compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) international standards.

Saule Tuleussarinova, Project Manager, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State at the US Embassy in Kazakhstan, noted the importance of the seminar in addressing the AML/CFT issues. The event was attended by heads of profile departments, members of the interdepartmental commission on AML/CFT and representatives of the competent authorities, who will represent the interests of the country at meetings with international expert assessors.

“National competent authorities in Kazakhstan have a unique opportunity to prepare for the mutual evaluation with technical and expert support of UNODC,” - said Saule Tuleussarinova.  

Aliaksandr Vadziany, UNODC Advisor AML/CFT in Central Asia, stated the role of law enforcement agencies in the mutual evaluation process and the importance of AML/CFT risk assessment for law enforcement agencies. He also drew attention to the importance of having professional training available in the country.

"In the current environment, countries are paying increased attention to the effectiveness of their AML/CFT systems. During the on-site mission, the experts primarily evaluate the way how the system works in practice. The effectiveness of government authorities and private sectors in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Law enforcement agencies play an important role in this area. In this regard, the strengthening of the national strategies and the assistance in the implementation of law enforcement measures to combat financial crime, money laundering and terrorism financing is one of the priority areas of UNODC technical assistance," - Aliaksandr Vadziany noted.

The capacity building workshop was conducted under UNODC Programme on Countering the Financing of Terrorism with the expert support of the UNODC GPML and is funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State. 

 

For more information please contact:

Arifa Fatikhova 

Communications and External Relations Officer

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 93) 505-05-58 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[a]un.org

 

Read the Russian language version here.