In the Middle Eastern region, terrorist threats are persisting with time. To tackle this menace cooperation among regional states holds crucial importance. In this manner, the two geo-strategical states, UAE and Morrocco have endeavoured to fight terrorism.  

Recently, Hamid AlZaabi, Director General of the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing, convened a Moroccan national delegation directed by Dr Jawhar Al Nafisi, Chairman of the Moroccan National Financial Intelligence Authority, to examine ongoing bilateral coordination and expertise exchange endeavours.

Hamid AlZaabi stressed the robust cooperation between the UAE and Morocco and its significant impact on increasing standards of compliance within the MENA region.

He noted, “Our two countries are united in commitment to fighting financial crime and collaborate effectively on numerous levels, both bilaterally and through the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF). I am satisfied that through our regular meetings, we have created a comprehensive framework for cooperation and have launched several joint initiatives that are already making a difference. By sharing expertise and best practices, the expertise formulated by each country can be leveraged to mutual advantage, to ensure safeguarding our financial regional system.”

Dr Jawhar Al Nafisi, Chairman of the Moroccan National Financial Intelligence Authority, remarked, “This visit underscores the strong strategic relations between Morocco and the UAE, as both nations seek to align strategies and visions on bilateral, regional and international levels, and share expertise to train for the upcoming mutual evaluation round. To assure the sustainability of the efforts made to fight money laundering and terrorism financing, I am happy to invite Director General, Hamid Al Zaabi to the Kingdom of Morocco for progress meetings and to measure the effectiveness of joint committees established during the meetings held over the past two days.”

During the two-day meeting, the parties examined ongoing bilateral cooperation activities. To further enhance the coordination measures, both parties have decided to establish several joint committees, including ones to observe standards and developments, technical representatives, and a supervisory committee to track progress and ensure goal attainment.

Members of the EO AML/CTF offered on topics such as the National Strategy and virtual assets, and the UAE’s experience utilising AI to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. A joint meeting resulted in the agreement on specific areas of collaboration to be included in follow-up steps to enforce the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EO AML/CTF and the Moroccan National Financial Intelligence Authority.

The second day of the visit agenda featured an exhibition by the UAE Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) concerning collaboration potentials. It concluded with a final manifestation by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) which discussed the UAE experience investigating cases related to virtual assets.

The visiting panel comprised several senior executives from the Moroccan Financial Intelligence Unit, including Mohamed Rahwi, Director of the International Cooperation and National Coordination Division, Najwa Ben Medni, Director of the Financial Investigations and Information Division, and Jamal Eddine Fouham, Head of the Basic Data, Information Security, and Networks Division.