Tunis: Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Governor, Adel Sharkas, who also chairs the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, led the first regional meeting of central bank governors. This meeting is part of Jordan’s leadership role within the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).
According to Jordan News Agency, the event underscores the role of central bank governors in shaping anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing policies in their respective countries. This initiative aligns with the priorities of the 2025-2026 joint Jordan-UAE presidency and marks a significant step in MENAFATF’s regional plan to bolster its effectiveness on both regional and international stages.
The meeting was held alongside the 49th session of the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Agencies, conducted under the Arab Monetary Fund’s framework and hosted by Tunisia. Attendees included Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Chair Elisa Medrazo, Jordan’s representative and Chair of MENAFATF Samya Abu Shareef, UAE’s Vice-Chair Hamed Al Zaabi, and Executive Secretary of the Group Suliman AL Jabrin.
The timing of the meeting aligns with the onset of mutual evaluations within the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) system, addressing the proliferation of weapons in the region, and the schedule for the third evaluation round. Sharkas highlighted the necessity of a robust AML/CFT system, emphasizing its role in financial and economic stability, foreign investment stimulation, and combating financial crime, which affects tax revenues, capital flows, and banking relations.
Abu Shareef emphasized the importance of collaboration with the FATF, regional groups, and the international network, acknowledging their roles in complementing other international institutions like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
Madrazo praised the high-level meetings for supporting the upcoming phase and stressed the collaborative engagement of regional groups, alongside FATF’s pivotal role in setting international standards. She acknowledged the joint efforts and significant projects undertaken by FATF and regional groups, underscoring the importance of preparing for the next round focused on the effectiveness of systems combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and weapons proliferation.