Uzbekistan to Strengthen Financial Crime Prevention Methods
Meeting with Donors and Providers of Technical Assistance Held in Tashkent
In a bid to promote good governance and combat corruption, money laundering, and financing of terrorism, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan recently organized a meeting with donors and providers of technical assistance in Tashkent. The event brought together over 40 participants from various donor countries and international organizations.
Discussion on Technical Assistance Plan for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism
The meeting focused on discussing the Technical Assistance Plan for Uzbekistan on anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), which was developed following the publication of the Second Evaluation Report by the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in 2022. The report aimed to bring national AML/CFT systems in line with international standards, identifying several shortcomings that the Technical Assistance Plan aims to address.
Emphasis on Implementing Recommendations
Dilshod Rahimov, Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of implementing the recommendations outlined in the Mutual Evaluation Report to improve the country’s AML/CFT system. He noted that this would create a better investment climate and greater transparency, ultimately ensuring sustainable economic growth.
OSCE Commitment to Support Uzbekistan
Hans-ULLrich Ihm, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator, assured that the OSCE will continue to support Uzbekistan in its efforts to combat money laundering and corruption. He highlighted the significance of such meetings in offering avenues for capacity building, better coordination, and more efficient implementation.
Meeting Objectives
The meeting aimed to strengthen the host country’s capacity to effectively overcome the identified shortcomings, particularly by:
- Identifying areas for improved cooperation among donors and providers of technical assistance
- Defining a timeframe for the implementation of the Plan
The event marked an important step towards enhancing Uzbekistan’s financial crime prevention methods and promoting good governance in the country.