OSCE conference works to foster regional co-operation in countering terrorist financing and transnational organized crime

Fostering regional co-operation in addressing terrorist financing and organized crime was the focus of the OSCE Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Transnational Organized Crime held online on 11 May 2021.

“The work of the OSCE is rooted in a strong mandate to address transnational threats, in particular preventing and combatting terrorism, by promoting a multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder approach in the implementation of the international legal framework against terrorism,” said Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to address Transnational Threats. “This conference is timely as it took stock of efforts undertaken at the regional level and lessons learned since 2019 to address the challenges posed by terrorist financing and transnational organized crime.”

The conference was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Financial Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economics of Turkmenistan. Over 200 senior experts, government officials and representatives of regional and international organizations, including the United Nations and the OSCE, took part in the conference.

Participants exchanged good practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for policy options for developing effective ways of detecting and suppressing terrorist financing channels and combating organized crime. They also explored how to strengthen human rights-compliant approaches, co-operation and information sharing in countering terrorist financing.

“Upon the initiative of Turkmenistan, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution A/RES/73/338, declaring 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, to promote peace and trust among nations through political dialogue, mutual understanding and co-operation. I believe that synergy and information sharing among OSCE participating States in countering terrorist financing and organized crime can facilitate confidence-building measures and, in turn, cultivate peace and trust,” said Silapberdi Nurberdiev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the OSCE.

The Conference discussions also built on the recommendations made during the OSCE High-Level Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Addressing Potential Links with Organized Crime, organized in Ashgabat on 17 to 18 April 2019.

“It is imperative to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. Tools used in radicalization and financing of terrorism need to be addressed as well as ensuring prosecution, reintegration and rehabilitation of those affiliated with terrorism and transnational organized crime. In this regard, I commend the participating States of the region of Central Asia for maintaining close co-operation and addressing these matters jointly,” said Tobias Lorentzson, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE.

Emphasis was also placed on the role of the OSCE, as the largest regional arrangement operating under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, and its comprehensive approach to security.

Turning to the OSCE’s co-operation in the region, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “Over the last several years, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has had a constructive and fruitful co-operation and partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan in support of legislative reforms to align the country’s anti-money laundering and countering of financing of terrorism legal framework with relevant recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force. It is my firm belief that today’s event has encouraged an inclusive dialogue on a cross-dimensional discussion, in line with the OSCE comprehensive concept of security, and the exchange of good practices in addressing current challenges posed by terrorist financing and transnational organized crime.”