23 November 2016 - Tackling illicit financial flows and money laundering is a core element of the overall effort to combat drug trafficking and transnational organised crime in Afghanistan, and more widely in West and Central Asia. UNODC works on building networks between countries and between regions on investigations of financial crimes. In this regard, representatives from the Triangular Initiative (TI) - Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan - recently joined efforts for the first time with representatives of China to share experiences and best practices at the inter-regional level on the different money and value transfer systems, and on the negative effect that can derive from their abuse. The meeting was held under UNODC's Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries (RPANC).
The inter-regional workshop, entitled "Reducing the risks from the abuse of Money or Value Transfer Services (MVTS), was convened in Beijing, China. Together with RPANC, the workshop was organised by UNODC's Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism (GPML) in partnership with the People's Bank of China. The training was tailored specifically for representatives from the TI countries, as well as China.
The event was attended by 26 experts on Anti-Money Laundering from law enforcement agencies, Financial Intelligence units, prosecuting authorities, customs agencies, central banks and Ministries of Foreign Affairs. During the four day event, a different relevant topics were discussed, including: the importance of MVTS as related to migrant remittances and fragile economies; the abuse of MVTS; sensitive investigation techniques; and the challenges of prosecuting crimes across different legal systems.
The event is part of UNODC's activities in its Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, which regularly brings the countries of this region together to develop strategies and build cooperation in countering drugs, crime and terrorism.
UNODC's Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries
UNODC in Europe, West and Central Asia
UNODC on money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism