The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) has unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious strategy for 2025. This plan, launched under the joint leadership of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aims to strengthen the region’s financial crime prevention efforts. MENAFATF’s work focuses on improving member states’ adherence to global anti-money laundering (AML) standards and ensuring effective counterterrorism financing measures.
One of the key components of MENAFATF’s 2025 plan is its focus on assisting member states during the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) evaluations. These evaluations are crucial in determining the compliance levels of countries with international anti-money laundering standards. By actively supporting its members through these evaluations, MENAFATF aims to ensure that all regional countries meet the required global standards in combating financial crimes.
In addition, MENAFATF is strengthening its governance framework to enhance decision-making processes and increase the efficiency of its operations. This development aims to bolster the organization’s role in coordinating efforts among member states and ensuring more effective collective action against financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorism financing. MENAFATF recognizes the need for transparent and robust governance in driving regional and international cooperation.
Another priority area for MENAFATF in 2025 is addressing emerging risks associated with financial crimes. With the increasing sophistication of money laundering schemes and the growing threat of terrorism financing, MENAFATF is focusing on strengthening efforts to combat these risks. Special attention is being given to the proliferation of weapons and the growing intersection between various illicit financial activities that could destabilize the region.
Regional cooperation remains a cornerstone of MENAFATF’s strategy. In 2025, the organization will place greater emphasis on fostering collaboration with international and regional partners. By building strategic alliances, MENAFATF aims to ensure that member states benefit from a collective network that can better address cross-border financial crime challenges. This includes strengthening ties with international bodies such as the FATF and the United Nations.
H.E. Samya Abu Shareef, the President of the AML Unit of Jordan, reiterated the importance of enhancing MENAFATF’s vision and priorities. She emphasized that these changes would propel efforts to fight financial crimes across the MENA region, building a more secure and compliant financial environment. This initiative aligns with Jordan’s broader goal to play a more active role in international financial crime prevention.
Similarly, H.E. Hamed Saif Al-Zaabi, the Vice President of MENAFATF for 2025 and the President for 2026, expressed his commitment to driving impactful initiatives in the region. He stated that the MENA region is increasingly strengthening its capacity to combat financial crimes, a critical development given the evolving financial crime landscape. MENAFATF’s 2025 strategic priorities signify a significant step in reinforcing the region’s collective efforts to protect financial systems and ensure compliance with international standards.
MENAFATF currently includes 21 member countries and 18 observers. The organization’s growing influence underscores the importance of regional cooperation in combating financial crime. With the strong leadership of Jordan and the UAE, MENAFATF is poised to play a central role in driving the region’s efforts to reduce the risks of money laundering and terrorism financing. Both nations are deeply committed to advancing the organization’s mission and securing a safer financial future for the MENA region.
