The UAE begins the duties of the MENAFATF presidency for the year 2026

The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) announced today that the United Arab Emirates has assumed the presidency of the group for the year 2026, represented by Hamid Saif Al Zaabi.

The UAE presidency comes at a pivotal stage for the region, coinciding with MENATF’s preparations to launch the third round of mutual evaluation processes, in line with the methodology of the fifth round of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Under the leadership of the UAE, MENATV will focus on enhancing regional readiness for mutual assessment processes, modernizing governance frameworks, deepening international cooperation, and developing solutions to address new and emerging financial crime risks.

The UAE’s presidency forms part of a joint two-year sequence with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will assume the presidency of the group in 2027, reflecting a shared commitment to continuity and building regional capabilities in the long term.

Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, the current president of MENAVATF, 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, as it links continents, markets, and major trade corridors, and what is happening in our region has an increasing impact on international financial stability.

He added that with the UAE assuming the presidency of MENAFATF, our focus is on enhancing the region’s resilience and ensuring that our collective efforts contribute effectively to combating financial crimes at the global level. Through joint action, we can raise standards, build stronger institutions, and achieve a sustainable impact for our region and the world.

For his part, Suleiman Al-Jibrin, Executive Secretary of MENAVATF, said that the joint priorities agreed upon by the UAE for the year 2026 and the Kingdom of Bahrain for the year 2027 reflect a forward-looking vision for the group’s work, as it provides continuity, strengthens governance, and supports member states in their preparation for the next round of mutual assessments. This coordinated approach would enhance the effectiveness of MENAFATF and strengthen its role within the global AML/CFT network.

The UAE Presidency for 2026 includes a priority to develop the institutional governance and internal structures of MENATV, in order to enhance the efficiency of the group’s work, procedures, secretariat, and enhance its resources.

International partnerships will constitute another fundamental focus of the UAE presidency, with plans to expand the scope of cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), regional counterpart bodies, and international monitoring bodies.

Work streams will also be allocated to focus on studying the latest patterns, risks and experiences in virtual assets, financial technologies, artificial intelligence, transparency of the true beneficiary, and enhancing cooperation in asset recovery, in line with global priorities to confront money laundering, combat the financing of terrorism, and financing the spread of arms.

MENAVATF members welcomed the UAE presidency and its comprehensive program for 2026, stressing that it will contribute to enhancing regional cohesion, strengthening national capabilities, and aligning MENAVATF work more closely with global standards and emerging risks.

The group includes 21 countries from across the Middle East and North Africa, and together these economies represent a gross domestic product estimated at more than 3 trillion US dollars, which highlights the strategic importance of the region in achieving global financial stability and in international efforts to confront money laundering, combat the financing of terrorism, and financing the proliferation of arms.