UAE Participates In Launch Of MENA Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network In Jeddah To Enhance Regional Cooperation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took part in the inaugural General Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (MENA ARIN) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 8–9 October 2025. The UAE delegation was led by Hamid AlZaabi, Secretary General and Vice Chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee (NAMLCFTPFC), and included representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and Public Prosecutions.

During this high-level meeting, convened by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ministers and senior officials from across the region gathered. The event marked the official launch of MENA ARIN. Participants adopted a Declaration of Intent and a Network Charter to guide cross-border efforts in tracing, freezing, and confiscating illicit assets.

Hamid Al Zaabi expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting the network's permanent secretariat. He highlighted the UAE’s dedication to enhancing coordination mechanisms during its presidency in 2026. Al Zaabi stated that priorities would include supporting regional law enforcement mechanisms and directing government efforts towards tracing, freezing, or confiscating illicit assets through advanced coordination tools.

Al Zaabi also emphasised the UAE's commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation on asset recovery. He noted that countering illicit financial flows requires swift action in tracing criminal proceeds. "As Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), I emphasised the importance of embedding asset recovery within the broader framework of combating money laundering and terrorist financing across the region," he said.

The UAE has made significant strides in asset recovery. In 2024, it confiscated AED5.2 billion—more than twice what was seized in 2023—placing it among the top three jurisdictions globally for confiscations as a percentage of estimated financial crime. This progress reflects effective legislative reforms since 2021 in areas such as financial investigations and beneficial ownership transparency.

The UAE is also establishing an office dedicated to managing confiscated assets for social purposes. Additionally, it has nominated five liaison officers from national entities to coordinate with MENA ARIN. These steps underscore its commitment to advancing regional leadership and cooperation while aligning with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.

Future Plans for MENA ARIN

The meeting concluded with MENA ARIN's official launch and adoption of a future action plan. This plan includes targeted workshops on virtual assets and managing confiscated assets. The UAE affirmed its readiness to contribute effectively to developing this network by sharing expertise and enhancing cooperation with partners to ensure illicit assets' recovery benefits people regionally and globally.

The UAE's participation in Jeddah aligns with its broader strategy of expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It aims to ensure full alignment with FATF standards while reinforcing collective contributions to global asset recovery efforts through MENA ARIN.

With inputs from WAM