OSCE promotes best practices in anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing efforts in Turkmenistan
Preparations for the expected regular Eurasian group’s (EAG) mutual evaluation of Turkmenistan’s compliance to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) standards on anti-money laundering and countering of financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts, including 11 indicators of effectiveness and 40 technical recommendations, were the focus of an OSCE seminar from 26 to 28 February 2020 in Ashgabat. The seminar was attended by representatives of law enforcement agencies, supervisory bodies, and other relevant government and non-government agencies.
The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the seminar to facilitate the exchange of best practices in preparation of the EAG’s mutual evaluation process on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, including the accumulation, analysis and compilation of quantitative and qualitative data. The seminar is a continuation of the Centre’s long-term support to the Government of Turkmenistan in advancing its AML/CFT system in compliance with FATF standards.
“In line with the OSCE strategic documents, the participating States mandated the Organization to implement activities in the area of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, including building the national capacities to implement demanding international standards and practices,” said Ivana Markovic Boskovic, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“All 57 OSCE participating states are members of FATF, which establishes international standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing and/or one of the FATF-style regional bodies, including the Eurasian Group on Combatting Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism – to which Turkmenistan is a party,” added Markovic Boskovic. “It is our strong belief that the event will support the efforts of relevant institutions in Turkmenistan to prepare for the EAG’s mutual evaluation this year.”
The seminar introduced participants to the key elements of the mutual evaluation process in accordance with the FATF methodology and in the data provision on technical compliance, efficiency and statistics. There was also an analysis of the conclusions of the National Risk Assessment and on the practical implementation of its recommendations. Experts from Lithuania and Belarus elaborated on the experiences of other OSCE participating States in implementing the FATF standards as well as their experiences in undergoing the EAG mutual evaluation process.
The seminar participants also discussed the importance of assessing national legislation and bringing it in compliance with the international standards.
The seminar will be followed by a roundtable discussion on 29 February 2020. During this event, members of the Inter-agency Co-ordination Working Commission on Anti-money Laundering and the Countering Financing of Terrorism will discuss the outcomes of the seminar and applying recommendations in national practice.