New Cook Islands Training Center: Pacific’s Fortification Against Money Laundering and Organized Crime
Rarotonga’s Newest Addition: A Computer-Based Training (CBT) Center
In a pivotal step towards fortifying the Pacific region against money laundering and organized crime, the Cook Islands has recently established a new Computer-Based Training (CBT) Center. This center, financed under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) initiative, will improve the skills of law enforcement and financial officers.
Combating Money Laundering in the Pacific: UNODC’s Committment
Money laundering is a primary source of revenue for transnational organized crime syndicates expanding their operations in the Pacific region. Mr. Gary Lewis, UNODC’s Regional Representative for East Asia and the Pacific
Remarking on the importance of the CBT Centers, UNODC’s Regional Representative for East Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Gary Lewis, highlighted that Pacific law enforcement agencies and financial institutions require up-to-date anti-money laundering tools, strategies, and expertise.
UNODC’s Global Efforts: Two CBT Centers in Fiji and Cook Islands
With the inception of a new CBT Center in the Cook Islands, the UNODC has furthered its commitment to enhancing the Pacific Islands’ defenses against illicit financial activities. Since 2001, two such centers have been operational, one in Fiji and the other in the Cook Islands, under the UNODC’s Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime, and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) initiative.
Pacific-Wide Anti-Money Laundering Network: Pacific Anti-Money Laundering Programme
The Computer-Based Training Centers are part of a Pacific-wide anti-money laundering network called the Pacific Anti-Money Laundering Programme (PA MLP). This network aids financial institutions in developing their capacities to combat organized transnational crime with UNODC’s assistance.
Training Modules: Arsenal Against Money Laundering
With more than a dozen training modules, the Cook Islands’ CBT Center will equip local police, customs, bank, and offshore fund financial officers with knowledge and expertise. Some of these modules include:
- Money Laundering 101
- Criminal Motives and Money Laundering
- Identifying Money Laundering Techniques
- Financial Havens
- Roles and Responsibilities of the Financial Intelligence Units
Appreciation and Importance: Enhancing Capabilities Against Transnational Financial Crimes
Expressing the organization’s appreciation for the benefits of this training, Mr. Walter Henry, Senior Intelligence Officer at the Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (CIFIU), emphasized its importance in future efforts against transnational financial crimes.
Background: Combating Transnational Organized Crime with the UNODC’s Assistance
The UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime, and the Financing of Terrorism assists participating financial institutions by increasing their financial capabilities to counter transnational organized crime. The UNODC Computer-Based Training Programme, established in 1999, is accessible through over 300 centers in 52 countries, with more than 100 in East Asia and the Pacific. The CBT Unit, headquartered at the Regional Centre in Bangkok, coordinates and manages the programme’s operations. New modules under development cover topics such as smuggling of migrants and wildlife trafficking.