Kuwait aims to exit ‘FATF’ enhanced follow-up evaluation stage
Kuwait is currently undergoing a mutual evaluation process by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to assess compliance with international standards in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Foreign Affairs Ministry through workshops and cooperation with international partners, is working to meet FATF's recommendations and exit the enhanced follow-up evaluation stage.

Kuwait is currently undergoing a mutual evaluation process by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to assess compliance with international standards in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Foreign Affairs Ministry through workshops and cooperation with international partners, is working to meet FATF’s recommendations and exit the enhanced follow-up evaluation stage.
The Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Cooperation, Ambassador Hamad Al-Mishaan, emphasized the commitment of Kuwait’s political leadership to ensuring the country’s progress in the ongoing mutual evaluation process by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He stressed that the state, along with relevant stakeholders, is putting in significant effort to move Kuwait beyond the enhanced follow-up stage, reflecting the nation’s dedication to meeting international standards.
This was during a speech delivered by Ambassador Hamad Al-Mishaan during a workshop hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, titled “Targeted Financial Sanctions, Asset Recovery, and Mutual Legal Assistance.”
The event, held via the “Zoom” platform, was organized in cooperation with the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law. Reinhard Oerig, the Director of the Institute, also participated in the workshop.
The workshop, held in cooperation with the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law, focuses on training and qualifying professionals in the field of combating terrorism financing. It underscores the commitment of the Security Council Resolutions Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the procedures recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessors. The committee, in partnership with international collaborators, organizes workshops to build capacities and train relevant stakeholders in Kuwait on targeted financial sanctions.
Al-Mishaan emphasized the Committee’s assurance to enhancing the competencies and skills of Kuwait’s workforce to meet international obligations outlined in Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII. He highlighted the importance of implementing precautionary measures to combat terrorism financing and prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting the financial system.
Moreover, Al-Mishaan expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the International Institute of Justice and Rule of Law, as well as the team, for their swift response in preparing and organizing the workshop.
In a press statement, Ambassador Al-Mishaan highlighted that the Kuwaiti government is conducting sessions on targeted financial sanctions, asset recovery, and legal assistance as part of the workshop. This initiative is coordinated between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Security Council Implementation Committee and the Justice and Law Institute in Malta. He also noted that Kuwait has been a member of the Institute since 2018.
Al-Mishaan explained that the workshop aims to address the key requirements during Kuwait’s ongoing evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The focus is on asset recovery and judicial assistance, with participation from various local and international entities, including the Central Bank, banks, exchange offices, and real estate companies. The workshop saw a large turnout, aimed at benefiting from the latest developments in combating money laundering and enforcing sanctions on those financing terrorist activities.
Al-Mishaan expressed hope that the workshop sessions would achieve their objectives and prove beneficial to all participants. He highlighted that the workshop was part of a series organized by the Security Council Implementation Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to stay aligned with global financial developments.
Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ mechanism for monitoring remittances and money laundering, it was stated that there is a committee dedicated to implementing Security Council resolutions. This committee, which includes representatives from various bodies such as the Central Bank, the Financial Investigations Unit, Public Prosecution, State Security, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Justice, is responsible for receiving and studying requests related to entities or individuals. The committee then takes the necessary measures based on each case.
Al-Mishaan highlighted that the State of Kuwait is a member of the Riyadh-based Terrorism Targeting Center, a Gulf-American initiative focused on combating terrorism and it’s financing. The center holds periodic meetings to facilitate cooperation and address issues related to terrorism and its financial support.
The workshop focused on reviewing the results and conclusions from the mutual evaluation report of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), specifically concerning Kuwait. The report, published in October 2024, was discussed in a session led by Jens Cofield Andreasen, Senior Practitioner from the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law, under the theme “Targeted Financial Sanctions.”
The session emphasized recommendations 6 and 7 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), focusing on the importance of developing laws to criminalize the financing of terrorism. It also highlighted the necessary actions to implement key UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 1267 and 1373, which address targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and it’s financing.
Dr. Marella Grech, Global Issues Advisor at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade in Malta, also participated in the workshop.
The workshop also included a session on asset recovery, freezing, and confiscation, as well as mutual legal assistance under FATF Recommendation IV. This session focused on the identification, freezing, and confiscation of assets linked to terrorist activities, including virtual/electronic assets. It emphasized the importance of utilizing mutual legal assistance to facilitate cross-border cooperation in these areas.
The one-day workshop also featured participation from Ahmed Junaidi, an anti-terrorism specialist from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Source: Q8-Press