OSCE launches co-operation on enhancement of Kazakhstan’s legislation and capacities on asset recovery

On 26 January 2024, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Mr. Yuri Fenopetov, met with the Chairman of the Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General's Office, Mr. Nurdaulet Suindikov, to discuss collaborative efforts in combatting illicit financial activities in Kazakhstan. The Asset Recovery Committee (the Committee) is the authorized body for asset recovery that have been illegally removed from the country. The Committee is also responsible for international co-operation in criminal, administrative, and civil law and carries out asset recovery activities on behalf of and in the interests of the State by evaluating and analyzing information on origin of assets.

During the meeting, the Chairman briefed the representatives of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana on the mandate of the recently-established Committee, and legislation developed related to asset recovery in Kazakhstan. Both sides underscored the commitment to address current and future challenges in asset recovery that resonate not only at the national level but also within the broader global framework. The OSCE Programme Office in Astana expressed its readiness to support and organize various initiatives aimed at facilitating the recovery of unlawfully obtained and removed assets, based on priorities of the host country. A key point of agreement was the intention to work together on improvement of the national legislation on asset recovery through expert support, and to enhance the capacities of the Committee’s staff on various topics, including through practical training activities, demonstrating a pro-active approach to tackling the evolving challenges posed by transnational financial crimes.

The co-operation between the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Asset Recovery Committee represents a significant advancement in the joint efforts to combat financial offenses. It is noteworthy that the return of illegally withdrawn assets falls within the scope of Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), which serves as one of the key priorities of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. By fostering international collaboration and equipping relevant authorities with enhanced capabilities, the partnership aims to contribute to the fight against illicit financial activities on the regional level and the recovery of unlawfully acquired assets.