Two workshops on Anti-money Laundering, and the Combating of Terrorist Financing were opened in Nuku'alofa this morning, May 14.

The first workshop on the control of cross-border movement of Cash and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNIs), started this morning, and will run until Wednesday.

A statement from a Cabinet Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Activities, stated that the first workshop aims "to promote cooperation and coordination among customs officers, staff of financial intelligence units and prosecutors."

It will also promote regular interaction and cooperation among the participating States, and thus provide an effective platform for collective regional efforts to address the risks posed by cash and BNI couriers.

The second workshop, for two days, from Thursday to Friday aims at enhancing the level and quality of Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR), and to provide delegates with the tools and frameworks to improve the quality and quantity of STR.

The five-days  workshops from May 14-18 are attended by senior officials from national financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies and prosecution authorities from the jurisdictions of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealnd, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga.

Regional cooperation

Both workshops are being facilitated by the Australian Transaction Reports and  Analysis Centre AUSTRAC, Australian Customs and Borders Protection Service, United Nations Counter Terrorism Directorate, Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering APG, Pacific Islands Forum, New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Financial Intelligence Unit. Other organizations participating include the Australian Federal Police and Oceania Customs Organization.

International best practice relating to STR frameworks and how to effectively implement these standards will be discussed along with effective education, and supervision of reporting entities leading to the development of an action plan.

The workshops are hosted by the Tonga Cabinet Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Activities and funded by the Australian and Tongan governments.