Financial Crime and Risk Management in Afghanistan: A Cause for Concern

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has expressed deep concern over the current and evolving money laundering and terrorist financing risk environment in Afghanistan. This comes amid recent events in the country that have raised alarm bells globally.

FATF’s Statement

In a statement, FATF reaffirmed its support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593 of 2021, which demands that Afghan territory not be used to:

• Threaten or attack any country
• Shelter or train terrorists
• Plan or finance terrorist acts

The organization is urging all jurisdictions’ competent authorities to provide guidance and facilitate information sharing with the private sector on assessing and mitigating emerging ML/TF risks identified through a risk-based approach.

Ensuring Humanitarian Assistance

FATF stressed the critical importance of ensuring that non-profit organizations (NPOs) and other humanitarian actors can deliver vital humanitarian assistance in the region and elsewhere without:

• Delay
• Disruption
• Discouragement

The organization called on all jurisdictions to protect NPOs from being misused for terrorist financing, recommending sustained and targeted outreach efforts consistent with FATF Recommendations while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Monitoring and Response

As the situation in Afghanistan continues to unfold, FATF will closely monitor any changes to money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the country. The organization will consider all options to promote:

• Security
• Safety
• Integrity of the global financial system

in partnership with:

• Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG)
• Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (EAG)
• Global Network