On March 4, 2026, a presentation ceremony for the book “Accountability and Audit: Combating the Legalization of Criminally Obtained Property and the Financing of Terrorism” was held at Financial Monitoring Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, financial organizations, the academic community, and professional associations.
Opening the event, Zaur Fatizada, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Financial Monitoring Service, noted that Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its position as a reliable partner within the international financial system. He described the successful completion of the fifth-round evaluation of the country’s AML/CFT system by the MONEYVAL Committee of the Council of Europe as a recognition of the consistent and targeted state policy pursued in this field. He also highlighted the role of modern technological solutions in financial intelligence activities and emphasized that effective implementation in this area requires a strong legal framework, sound governance, and broad international cooperation. According to him, the publication of the book reflects the practical outcomes of ongoing economic reforms and efforts to enhance transparency in the financial system.
Co-author of the book Shamkhal Karimov presented the key themes of the publication, outlining international practices, the relevant regulatory framework, and practical implementation mechanisms. He emphasized the methodological and applied value of the work. Elnur Ibrahimov also addressed the audience, noting that business models lacking transparency and mutual trust cannot ensure sustainable development, and underscoring the importance of combining digital solutions with fundamental human values.
Among the speakers were academician and Member of Parliament Ziyad Samadzade and Yadulla Hasanli, representative of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. They noted that the publication contributes to the country’s academic and professional literature and highlighted the importance of aligning efforts to combat terrorism financing with emerging global challenges from a national security perspective. They also emphasized that the book establishes both a theoretical foundation and a conceptual framework for practical activities in this field. Representatives of the Anti-Corruption General Directorate under the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Professional Financial Managers Association also took part in the event.
During the event, copies of the book were presented to participants and extensive discussions were held on the issues addressed in the publication.