XIV Eurasian Anti-Corruption Forum held in Moscow

On April 9, the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation hosted the XIV Eurasian Anti-Corruption Forum ‘Combating Corruption, Money Laundering, and Terrorist Financing: Interaction of Systems in the Modern Legal Environment.’ The event brought together over 400 participants, including representatives of relevant government ministries and departments, research and educational institutions, as well as international and public organizations from 9 countries and 24 Russian regions.

In his opening remarks, Yury Chikhanchin, Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring), emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and intensifying efforts of the countries of the Eurasian region in combating corruption crimes. He highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Rosfinmonitoring’s International Risk Assessment Center (IRAC) in facilitating timely communication with foreign partners.

The event featured a hybrid format comprising a plenary session, thematic panels, and roundtable discussions.

Ivan Uvarov, Director General of the International Training and Methodology Centre for Financial Monitoring (ITMCFM) spoke at the plenary session. In his report, he outlined the Centre’s key strategic priorities in the development of training programs for professionals involved in anti-money laundering (AML) systems across Russia and the member states of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG):

“The Centre's educational activities are aimed at raising awareness and introducing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations into practice among participants of the domestic and partner AML systems. Our programs emphasize learning innovative approaches, preparing for the upcoming round of mutual evaluations, and strengthening interagency collaboration, including the dissemination of best practices in applying FATF standards to anti-corruption efforts and the assessment of corruption risks.”

Mr. Uvarov emphasized the need to create and update training materials and methodologies. He also presented a monograph developed by ITMCFM Legal Regulation of Cross-Border Search, Seizure, Confiscation and Recovery of Assets in World Jurisdictions.

“The legal framework and practical implementation mechanisms for cross-border asset search, confiscation, and recovery remain insufficiently developed.

The application of these research findings will enhance the effective enforcement of international agreements governing cross-border cooperation and support the work of financial intelligence units, investigators, and prosecutors throughout the Eurasian region - particularly in identifying the proceeds of corruption crimes. This topic is especially pertinent as we prepare for a new round of mutual evaluations by the FATF and FATF-style regional bodies under the revised FATF Standards.”