Almaty roundtable to discuss Kazakhstani legal concept on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism

ALMATY, 9 November 2005 - The creation of a legal framework to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism in Kazakhstan will be the focus of an OSCE roundtable on 10 November in Almaty.

Main topics at the roundtable will be current legal initiatives, the Prosecutor General Office's draft law on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism and draft on statute of financial intelligence unit, a set of regulations on the issue elaborated by the Agency on Financial Regulation, and draft amendments to the Criminal Code, which are currently under discussion in the Majilis (lower chamber of Parliament). The event, which aims at assisting the Kazakhstani Government in drafting new legislation to fight against these crimes, will also review international documents and best practices in this field.

"We encourage the government and legislators of Kazakhstan to continue the broad public discussion on the draft laws to ensure a most efficient and independent system", said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Centre in Almaty. "The holding of the roundtable should accelerate this process".

Participants in the round table will be introduced to several models of national laws as well as disclosure mechanisms, financial regulations, asset freezing and confiscation, as well as inter-agency coordination and international co-operation. Foreign experts from the Prosecutor Office of the Russian Federation and the National Bank of Ukraine will share their practical experiences with Kazakhstani colleagues.

It is hoped that the roundtable discussion will assist the Kazakhstani representatives from the Parliament, relevant Ministries and state agencies as well as financial sector to better understand the legal and administrative tools used in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The event is organized by the OSCE Centre, and is implemented within the OSCE -UNODC joint programme "Combating Money Laundering and Suppressing the Financing of Terrorism" based on "Programme of Action" endorsed at the Bishkek International Conference in December 2001.

Media representatives are invited to attend the event on Thursday, 10 November, at 09:00, in "Kazakhstan" Hotel, Almaty