Africa-Press – Liberia. Nasser hailed GIABA as a longstanding pillar of coordination and technical excellence within the West African region.
The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) of Liberia on Thursday formally welcomed regional and international delegates to the 44th Technical Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), emphasizing the importance of collaboration in combating financial crimes across the region.
Delivering the opening welcome remark, Mohammed A. Nasser, the Officer-in-Charge of the FIA expressed gratitude for the strong turnout of representatives from ECOWAS member states, development partners, and international institutions, noting that their collective expertise remains vital in the ongoing fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities.
“We deeply appreciate your presence, your commitment, and the collective expertise you bring to the ongoing fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and the wider threats that undermine peace, security, and sustainable development in our region,” Mr. Nasser said.
GIABA’s Role Praised as Liberia Reaffirms Commitment
Nasser hailed GIABA as a longstanding pillar of coordination and technical excellence within the West African region. The plenary, he said, continues to serve as a critical platform for harmonizing national strategies and strengthening responses to financial crimes through shared learning and technical cooperation.
He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the GIABA framework and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, describing regional collaboration as key to ensuring compliance and safeguarding financial systems.
Focus on Progress, Challenges, and Strengthening National Systems
The 44th Plenary, currently taking place at the Farmington Hotel, brings together policymakers, law enforcement authorities, regulators, and AML/CFT practitioners to review progress made by member states and address persistent gaps.
According to the FIA Officer-in-Charge, the session offers a timely moment for member countries to examine national and regional progress, address ongoing operational and compliance challenges, strengthen information-sharing and risk analysis, improve supervisory mechanisms and advance targeted capacity-building initiatives.
“The work we do here will continue to shape the resilience of our national systems,” he said, adding that the outcomes of the meeting will enhance institutional effectiveness across the region.
FIA Values Peer Support and Technical Guidance
He highlighted that for Liberia’s FIA, the plenary’s peer-review environment remains invaluable, providing insight and guidance necessary to sustain ongoing reforms.
He praised the “spirit of collaboration that defines the GIABA family,” pledging the Agency’s full support to the Secretariat and member institutions as they continue strengthening the region’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing architecture.
A Call for Productive Deliberations
Nasser concluded by extending a warm welcome to all delegates and expressing confidence in the success of the week-long deliberations.
“I wish us productive discussions and a successful engagement,” he told the gathering.
The 44th GIABA Plenary continues with technical, strategic, and peer-review sessions throughout the week in Liberia’s Margibi County.
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