Pacific Supervisors Forum May 2023
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The Pacific AML/CFT Supervisors Forum (PSF) is a collaborative member group made up of AML/CFT experts from across the Pacific region whose purpose is to enable information sharing, facilitate networking and achieve better supervisory outcomes in Pacific Island countries. Te Tari Taiwhenua Internal Affairs is proud to be chair of the PSF.
The quarterly virtual forum comes together to share updates, challenges and initiatives from each of member jurisdictions. In 2019, planning was underway to bring the members together for a face-to-face multi-day forum on all matters relating to AML/CFT supervision. Like many things, that planning all came to an end when the Covid pandemic arrived.
Fast forward to 30 May – 1 June 2023, and in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the Japan Ministry of Finance, the AML/CFT Group co-hosted the first in-person meeting of the Pacific AML/CFT Supervisors Forum in Tāmaki Makaurau. Over 50 people attended and aside from APG, PIF and New Zealand AML/CFT system partners, attendees represented Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the Marshall Islands.
The keynote address was delivered by The Transnational Organised Crime (TNOC) Secretariat housed within New Zealand Police. Mike Stone the Director of AML/CFT Group who co-chaired the forum said that “our 3 days together were an enormous success with highlights including presentations from our own Dan Ziesler.
He also thought the discussions led by members of the private sector from across the range of captured reporting entities on the impact of being regulated were particularly well received. Mike said, “there is such enormous value in connecting with our Pacific neighbours on all things AML/CFT and Te Tari Taiwhenua will continue to play a leading role in helping develop and support risk-based AML/CFT supervisory practice across the Pacific region.” Check out some of the photos from the event.
