Tarawa (Kiribati), 4 October 2023 - The inaugural Public/Private Sector Dialogue Forum aimed at enhancing Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Combatting the Financing of terrorism (CFT) Domestic Coordination was convened in Tarawa, Kiribati on 4 October 2023. The dialogue forum has been supported via a combined technical assistance from the UNODC Pacific Anti-Corruption Programme and the UNODC Global Programme against Money-Laundering (ML), Proceeds of Crime (POC) and the Financing of Terrorism (FT).
With the primary objective to advance the fight against money laundering and corruption, the forum was attended by a total of 15 representatives from the following agencies: Kiribati Police Force, Kiribati Financial Intelligence Unit, representatives from the private sector which included representatives from the ANZ Bank and Kiribati Insurance Corporation, Public Service Office (PSO), Kiribati Tax Office, Kiribati Customs Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration Office.
The forum highlighted the need for the establishment of robust information-sharing networks among government bodies, financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector, which is still a nascent stage in numerous jurisdictions, including Kiribati. The pivotal function of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) within the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework, in swiftly and effectively disseminating critical intelligence to law enforcement entities, plays an indispensable role in the successful investigation of key predicate offenses, such as corruption, linked to money laundering. The Kiribati FIU as the coordinating agency for AML/CFT efforts has been taking an active stance to foster domestic coordination with its key counterparts and the forum has been timely to extend the networks which the FIU needs to perform its functions more efficiently and effectively.
The key takeaways from the day long forum included participants appreciating the importance of Suspicious Transaction Reports detection and reporting to the FIU, enhanced networking among stakeholders, consideration of inclusion of additional stakeholders in the AML/CFT Coordinating Committee, agencies having a fresh look at their policies on information sharing arrangements and overall enhanced trust building among stakeholders.
In Delivering the welcome remarks for the forum, the Deputy Commissioner for Strategy and Reform at Kiribati Police Service, Mr Reetaake Takabwere acknowledged the efforts of the Kiribati FIU in engaging with domestic and international counterparts to implement the relevant AML/CFT measures in Kiribati to adhere to international AML/CFT standards.
“The Kiribati Police Force would like to extend gratitude to UNODC on behalf of the Commissioner of Police for organizing this very timely forum. Kiribati is an observer with the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and I hope that Kiribati will be able to implement the necessary framework and relevant requirements in aspiration to obtain full membership like other Pacific jurisdictions,” he said.
Following the welcome remarks, the Secretary of the Public Service Office (PSO), Ms. Ritite Tekiau delivered the welcome remarks.
“As the primary contact point for implementing the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as well as the lead agency in implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), the PSO is committed to bolster AML efforts as Corruption is a predicate offence for money laundering and stakeholders in Kiribati need to implement anti-corruption efforts to align with the anti-money laundering efforts”, she said.
Ms. Ritite Tekiau acknowledged UNODC as a trusted partner in supporting the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) and continuing to support the implementation of the strategy.
Based on the feedback from the forum, the UNODC looks forward to facilitating further timely dialogue sessions with public and private sector agencies on AML/CFT coordination in Kiribati and other Pacific jurisdictions in a bid to strengthening information sharing arrangements among key integrity institutions to combat money laundering and associated predicate crimes including corruption.
