A top-level delegation from the UAE, led by the General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC), visited Paris to strengthen UAE-France cooperation in tackling financial crimes and boosting global economic security.

During the visit, the UAE delegation presented its National Strategy 2024-2027 aimed at combating financial crimes. The discussions focused on enhancing partnerships with French entities, including the Ministries of Treasury, Justice, and Interior, alongside the Financial Intelligence Unit. The shared goal was to address global issues like organised crime, drug trafficking, and illicit financial flows.

Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of NAMLCFTC, highlighted France’s significance as a key trade partner for the UAE. “This visit reflects our commitment to fostering international cooperation and tackling shared risks,” Al Zaabi stated, according to *Gulf Today*.

The UAE Ambassador to France, Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, called the visit a milestone in UAE-France relations. He emphasised the importance of collaboration in combating financial crimes and reinforcing global economic security. The UAE’s proactive role in adopting international anti-money laundering and financial crime standards was also underlined.

The delegation included officials from the UAE Ministry of Interior, Federal Public Prosecution, Central Bank, and Dubai’s Center for Economic Security. Their efforts build on recent milestones in UAE-France relations, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2024 to enhance the exchange of financial data.

In addition, the UAE’s commitment to global partnerships was highlighted through a December 2024 MoU with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, targeting financial crime threats like money laundering and tax evasion. This agreement promotes sharing expertise and best practices between enforcement agencies, setting a benchmark for international financial crime prevention.

The UAE remains focused on fostering economic growth while ensuring its financial systems are safeguarded against illicit activities.