Senior representatives from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have formally reaffirmed the Islands’ commitment to combatting financial crime at a high-level Ministerial meeting.
The MONEYVAL meeting, being held at the invitation of Poland’s Minister of Finance in Warsaw, was attended by Ministers and high level delegates from 32 countries and international organisations who have a role in preventing financial crime around the world.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Guernsey’s political lead for External Relations, Jersey’s Assistant Chief Minister Deputy Elaine Millar and the Isle of Man’s Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK were present to represent the islands.
In a written declaration, all jurisdictions affirmed their commitment to international and regional efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to join the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe in strongly condemning the continued aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and confirm our full support for Ukraine and its people. The meeting also provided the opportunity for bilateral meetings with Ministers from the other Crown Dependencies and the United Kingdom to discuss a variety of common issues relating to combatting financial crime.
Deputy Le Tocq said: “Guernsey has long been committed to playing a full part in international efforts to combat all forms of economic crime. This visit has enabled us to reiterate that commitment by voicing our support for the next phase of MONEYVAL’s work.”
Deputy Millar said: “It is important for Jersey to demonstrate that we stand alongside other countries in our commitment to combatting financial crime in all its forms. As a leading international financial services centre, we are committed to meeting international standards.
“This visit has been an opportunity to meet fellow MONEYVAL Ministers and delegations ahead of September, when we will be welcoming our peers to Jersey for an assessment of our own financial crime prevention regime.”
Minister Allinson said: “It is important for the Isle of Man to reaffirm its commitment and stand alongside other countries in combatting financial crime in all its forms.
“The global Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism framework is only as strong as its weakest link. As an established finance centre, we recognise our role in protecting international systems from these threats and take that responsibility very seriously.
“The MONEYVAL Conference in Warsaw was an excellent opportunity to meet counterparts from other jurisdictions to reaffirm our ongoing and unwavering commitment to meeting international standards.”
