Gibraltar’s Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) Hosts Successful Terrorist Financing Course for Quad Island Forum Members
The Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) recently welcomed law enforcement and financial intelligence unit (FIU) officers from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man to Gibraltar for a three-day Terrorist Financing Course. The event, facilitated by the Quad Island Forum, aimed to enhance the participants’ knowledge of the latest terrorist financing typologies and trends.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Amidst Quad Island Forum Members
The Quad Island Forum is an instrumental platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among the four jurisdictions. For this training session, the forum arranged the event in partnership with the National Terrorist Financing Investigation Unit (NTFIU), the National Crime Agency, HM Treasury, and the UK Charity Commission. Subject matter experts from the United Kingdom delivered the course.
Opening Remarks from Minister for Justice
The event was kicked off by Minister for Justice, Samantha Sacramento MP, who emphasized the importance of collective efforts in detecting and reporting suspicious transactions related to terrorist financing. She also highlighted the significance of international cooperation and the need for a deep understanding of terrorist financing methods in effectively combating related crimes.
Gratitude and Importance of Ongoing Training
GFIU Director, Mr. Edgar Lopez, expressed his gratitude to the Minister for her support and for allowing the private sector and regulatory bodies to attend the course through the ‘Project Nexus’ program. He stressed the importance of ongoing training and development to identify potential terrorist financing activities:
“Our jurisdictions’ ability to identify and prevent the exploitation of financial centres by terrorists or terrorist groups relies on the expertise and knowledge that events such as these provide.”
A Strengthened Capability and Continuous Professional Development
Mr. Lopez, who currently chairs the Quad Island Forum, further stated that “this specialist training strengthens our capabilities and forms an integral part of our continuous professional development. We are proud to have hosted it in Gibraltar and to have been able to tap into the extensive expertise of the UK in this field and share it with the private sector through our Project Nexus outreach program, supported by the Gibraltar Association of Compliance Officers.”
A Significant Step in Enhancing Collaborative Efforts
The three-day Terrorist Financing Course serves as a significant step in enhancing collaborative efforts among the Quad Island Forum members and strengthening their capabilities to combat terrorist financing.