UNODC presents an innovative approach to the professional development and accreditation of AML/CFT specialists in the Republic of Uzbekistan

On 14-15 February 2024, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, UNODC held an expert meeting with representatives of the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Academy) and the Department on Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Department) to discuss innovative methods of training practitioners and opportunities for implementing the Professional Development and Accreditation System for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in Uzbekistan (PDAS).

UNODC provided a detailed overview of PDAS implementation to the management and staff of the Academy and the Department. UNODC informed about international experience and best practices of PDAS implementation in other countries, as well as IT solutions for PDAS development and implementation at the national level. The Academy and the Department presented the experience of training and development of prosecutors, financial intelligence unit’s staff and law enforcement officers.

The implementation of the PDAS pilot project in Uzbekistan aims to improve and continuously develop AML/CFT specialists in the capital and regions of Uzbekistan. UNODC supports the establishment of a sustainable system and is ready to provide technical assistance in the implementation of PDAS. Uzbekistan intends to improve its compliance with international standards and FATF recommendations by implementing the PDAS.

UNODC and the Academy identified further steps in implementing and integrating the PDAS into the Academy's prototype online platform within the current year.

The event was organised with expert support from the UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) and financial support from the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).