Azerbaijan hosts meeting on strengthening global fight against financial crime PHOTO

Azerbaijan has hosted the 32nd Plenary Meeting of the Egmont Group, an international network of financial intelligence units, with officials calling for stronger information sharing and cooperation to combat financial crime.

Speaking at the event in Baku, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said expanding the exchange of operational information between financial intelligence units and relevant authorities was essential to improving efforts against financial crimes, local media reports.

Jabbarov also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between public institutions and the private sector in addressing emerging financial risks.

Egmont Group Chair Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz said the meeting provided an important platform for financial intelligence units to exchange views and coordinate efforts in combating financial crime.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Giles Thomson emphasised the role of international cooperation, timely financial intelligence sharing, and global partnerships in addressing money laundering and terrorist financing threats.

Zaur Fatizada, chairman of Azerbaijan’s Financial Monitoring Service, said Baku was pleased to host representatives of the organisation.

"We are confident that the discussions held here will make a significant contribution to further strengthening international cooperation and advancing our joint efforts to combat financial crime," he said.

The main theme of the 2026 plenary meeting was the development of stronger public-private partnerships amid the evolving nature of financial crime. Participants discussed improving cooperation between financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, supervisory authorities, and financial sector representatives.

The Egmont Group brings together financial intelligence units from around the world and facilitates secure information exchange, professional development, and international cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The meeting, held from July 5 to 10, brought together heads of financial intelligence units and representatives of international organisations to discuss current challenges, future priorities, and ways to strengthen global cooperation in the field.

By Sabina Mammadli