The UAE has completed 95 percent of the strategic goals in its National Anti-Money Laundering Strategy, according to the 2025 Annual Report issued by the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee.
The report reviews progress made under the 2024-2027 strategy, which sets 11 strategic goals. Hamid Saif AlZaabi, Secretary-General and Vice-Chair of the National Committee, said the General Secretariat used data and advanced technologies to track implementation through its "AML Track" platform, with results visible across financial intelligence, law enforcement, international cooperation and supervision.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the country continued to develop its national system, deepen integration among government entities and strengthen partnerships with the private sector and international partners. He described multilateral cooperation as a fundamental pillar of the UAE's vision for protecting its financial system.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and Chairman of the National Committee, pointed to Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 as an important step in strengthening the legislative framework. He said it improves coordination among authorities and readiness to address evolving risks.
The past year also saw the reconstitution of the Higher Committee, the National Committee, its General Secretariat and the sub-committees, which strengthened governance and made implementation of the strategy more efficient.
Among the key outputs, the report cited a sectoral risk assessment completed with the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. New national frameworks and policies were also developed on beneficial ownership, asset recovery, virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, and cyber-enabled financial crime, along with a regulatory framework for non-profit organisations.
Looking ahead, the UAE will prepare for the Financial Action Task Force Mutual Evaluation and take on the presidencies of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force and the Middle East and North Africa Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network in 2026.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
