Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Financial Action Task Force for the Middle East and North Africa “MENAFATF” announced on Monday that the United Arab Emirates has assumed the presidency of the group for the year 2026, represented by His Excellency Hamed Saif Al Zaabi.
The UAE presidency comes at a pivotal stage for the region, coinciding with MINFATF’s preparations to launch the third round of mutual evaluation processes.
In line with the FATF’s fifth round methodology.
Under the leadership of the UAE, MINAFATF will focus on enhancing regional readiness for mutual evaluation processes and modernizing governance frameworks.
In addition to deepening international cooperation and developing solutions to address new and emerging financial crime risks.
The UAE presidency forms part of a two-year joint sequence with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will assume the presidency of the group in 2027.
Reflecting a shared commitment to continuity and long-term regional capacity building.
His Excellency Hamed Saif Al Zaabi, current President of MINFATF, said: “I am honored to assume this leadership role, as the Middle East and North Africa region today plays a pivotal role in the global financial system, linking continents, markets, and major trade corridors. What is happening in our region has had an increasing impact on international financial stability.”
strengthen international partnerships
The UAE presidency for 2026 includes a priority for developing corporate governance and internal structures in Minavatv.
This is to enhance the efficiency of the group’s work and procedures, its secretariat, and strengthen its resources.
International partnerships will form another key focus within the UAE presidency, with plans to expand cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force “FATF”.
In addition to regional counterpart bodies and international monitoring bodies.
Workstreams will also focus on studying the latest patterns, risks, and experiences in virtual assets, financial technologies, and artificial intelligence.
In addition to transparency of the real beneficiary, and enhancing cooperation in asset recovery.
In line with global priorities to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and arms proliferation financing.
The group includes members from 21 countries from across the Middle East and North Africa.
Together, these economies represent a gross domestic product estimated at more than 3 trillion US dollars.
This highlights the region’s strategic importance in achieving global financial stability and in international efforts to combat money laundering, combat the financing of terrorism, and finance the spread of armaments.
