Regular meeting of the Permanent Interdepartmental Commission on Combating Legalization (laundering) of Proceeds of Crime, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

On August 30, 2023, a regular meeting of the permanent interdepartmental commission on combating legalization (laundering) of proceeds of crime, financing of terrorism and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (AML/CFT/PWMD) was held in the National Bank of Tajikistan under the leadership of the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on legal issues Zarif Alizoda (Chairman of the Commission) with the participation of representatives of relevant authorities of the country and the Department of Financial Monitoring under the National Bank of Tajikistan.

The Chairman of the Commission expressed concern about changes in the global system, the threats of terrorism, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, criminal profits, and the rise of incentive and false advertising by fraudsters on social media to generate free income, and called on participants to make joint efforts to prevent such phenomena.

It was also noted that in connection with revision of a number of recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and annual increase of risks and threats in the sphere of AML/CFT/PWMD, the Republic of Tajikistan should harmonize its normative legal acts with international standards.

The meeting included discussion of issues related to the implementation of the decisions of the Protocol of the previous meeting of the Commission, the Department's access to databases of state bodies, prevention of fraudulent actions in social networks and other issues. 

However, the information on fulfillment of the relevant items of the Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Eliminating Technical Compliance Deficiencies and Improving the Effectiveness of the AML/CFT/PWMD systems" by the responsible ministries and agencies was provided.

The Chairman of the Commission stated that although the relevant authorities of the country have done significant work to implement the points of the mentioned Plan, they need to take necessary measures to fully implement the items of their direction, as the mutual evaluation of the Republic of Tajikistan by the expert-evaluators of the Eurasia Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism is expected in the coming years.

It was said that taking into account the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Combating Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds of Crime, Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” in a new amendment, which is a confident step in strengthening the system. Thus, the relevant ministries and agencies should adapt their by-laws in accordance with the sectoral law as soon as possible.

In conclusion, the Chairman of the Commission congratulated the participants of the meeting on the upcoming celebrations, the Day of Knowledge and the 32nd anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, and urged them to fulfill their official duties with high responsibility.

Financial Monitoring Department