Nicosia:A Countering Terrorist Financing Forum focusing on regulatory expectations, operational effectiveness, and emerging risks was held in Nicosia on September 30. It was organized by the Cyprus Compliance Association (CCA), the Financial Intelligence Unit of Cyprus (MOKAS), and Cyprus Police.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Forum gathered senior representatives and experts from various sectors, including financial intelligence, law enforcement, and international organizations. The participants engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening the collective response to terrorist financing.
The event promoted dialogue between Cyprus's national efforts and international expertise. Contributions featured insights from the Chairperson of MONEYVAL, international financial crime experts, and specialists from the UK working on issues like terrorist financing and cryptocurrency investigations.
The Forum highlighted the interconnected nature of financial crime, emphasizing the collaboration between Cypriot institutions and international practitioners. Discussions covered topics such as regulatory expectations, international evaluations, crypto-related threats, and the importance of public-private partnerships.
A key objective was to foster practical dialogue between public and private sectors, focusing on translating regulatory expectations into effective action. Emphasis was placed on enhancing information flow across institutional boundaries and developing robust public-private cooperation.
Theodoros Stavrou, Chair of the Cyprus Compliance Association, underscored the value of combining local and international expertise to strengthen responses to terrorist financing risks. He expressed gratitude to all participants for their contributions and highlighted the importance of cooperation in effective counter-terrorist financing efforts.
Stavrou also noted that such initiatives support Cyprus's commitment to international AML/CFT standards by focusing on practical effectiveness and enhancing collaboration between public and private sectors.