The Coordination Council convened its latest session to discuss strategic measures against money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Deputy Prime Minister and Council Chairman, Samir Sharifov, opened the meeting by highlighting Azerbaijan’s selection to host the 32nd Plenary Meeting of the Egmont Group in 2026, describing it as a testament to the country’s rising profile in the international financial intelligence community. He emphasized that the Council is responsible for coordinating state agencies to ensure the event’s successful and high-standard organization.

Established in 1995, the Egmont Group fosters cooperation among national financial intelligence units and promotes secure information sharing to combat illicit financial activities. Azerbaijan has been a full member since 2011.

During the session, the Council approved the Work Plan for organizing the 32nd Plenary Meeting, following detailed discussions among Council members and representatives from key government bodies.

Zaur Fatizada, Chairman of the Board of the Financial Monitoring Service, briefed participants on Azerbaijan’s progress report submitted to the MONEYVAL Committee of the Council of Europe, highlighting significant achievements in aligning national AML/CFT measures with FATF standards. He noted that improvements under FATF Recommendation 7 are anticipated.

The meeting also addressed broader initiatives and ongoing challenges in combating illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, underscoring Azerbaijan’s commitment to international compliance and security standards.