On May 27, 2021, a representative of the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC/Center) Mrs. T.Evdokimova took part in the meeting of the Working Group on Typologies and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Crime (WGTYP), organized by videoconference during the 34th Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG).

The event was attended by representatives of 9 EAG member states (the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of India, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan), the FATF Secretariat, as well as 13 states and 18 organizations - the observers of the Group.

During the WGTYP meeting, participants noted the importance of strengthening national AML/CFT systems. Considerable attention was paid to the issues of identifying, analyzing and minimizing ML/TF risks in the Eurasian region, which becomes especially relevant in connection with the continuing trends that have formed against the background of the pandemic. The interim results of the project on identification and analysis of ML/TF risks in the Eurasian region were discussed.

It was noted that among the main threats to money laundering in the region are activities related to the illegal cross-border movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (smuggling) and their illegal turnover.

The report of the EAG Secretariat on the results of the activities of the project group on the preparation of the EAG Guidelines for financial investigations in the field of AML/CFT was heard, in which Ms. T. Еvdokimova represents the Center and acts as an expert representative of observers in the EAG. Further work plans of the project group were also approved.

At the same time, the meeting participants considered proposals for a mechanism for monitoring the operational situation in the EAG member states in terms of new ML/TF risks and exchanged best practices, typologies and experience in automating analytical activities.

It was noted that the EAG member states carry out significant work to identify and analyze new ML/TF methods in the region, contribute to raising awareness among government agencies, the private sector about the latest global trends and emerging risks, and take active steps to strengthen international cooperation in order to strengthening national AML/CFT systems.