Title: Kiribati Hosts Inaugural Anti-Money Laundering Dialogue Forum: Bolstering Cooperation Against Financial Crimes

Kiribati’s Groundbreaking Anti-Money Laundering Dialogue Forum

• October 4, 2023, Tarawa, Kiribati
• Enhancing domestic coordination against money laundering and financing of terrorism

Participants and Support

• Attended by fifteen representatives from various Kiribati government bodies and the private sector
• Supported by UNODC Pacific Anti-Corruption Programme and UNODC Global Programme against Money-Laundering (ML), Proceeds of Crime (POC), and the Financing of Terrorism (FT)

Objective and Discussion Points

• Advance the fight against money laundering and corruption
• Establish robust information-sharing networks
• Role of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)

Expert Speaker: Venti Chandra

• Shared insights on physical and forensic profiling of synthetic drugs
• Emphasized the latest drug trends and their implications for anti-money laundering efforts

Role of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)

• Fast and effective dissemination of critical intelligence
• Essential role in successful investigations of key predicate offenses
• Kiribati FIU’s active stance in fostering domestic coordination

Words of Welcome

• Deputy Commissioner Reetaake Takabwere, Kiribati Police Service
• Ms. Ritite Tekiau, Secretary of the Public Service Office (PSO) and UNCAC Focal Point for Kiribati

Next Steps

• The UNODC looks forward to facilitating further dialogues between public and private sector agencies
• Strengthening information sharing arrangements among key integrity institutions to effectively combat money laundering and associated predicate crimes, such as corruption