黑料社区

DUBAI: Just weeks ahead of the international conference 鈥淪anctions, AML and CFT for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of 黑料社区,鈥� to be held in Riyadh on Oct. 21鈥�22, 2025, French Senator Nathalie Goulet, in an interview with Arab News en fran莽ais, praised 黑料社区鈥檚 ambition and commitment to combating money laundering and financial crime.

鈥満诹仙缜� was an early leader in the 鈥楴o Money for Terror鈥� initiative. The country is capable, and above all, it has a strong leader and a clear vision,鈥� the senator stated.

A firm political will

For Nathalie Goulet, the Kingdom鈥檚 transformation is undeniable.

鈥淔rom the moment Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came to power, he addressed corruption issues head-on. He instilled a new political direction and determination,鈥� she said.

This transformation is aligned with the Kingdom鈥檚 rapid opening, notably under Vision 2030, and is part of a broader effort to enhance the business climate and attract foreign investment within a stable legal and financial framework.

鈥淭hings are moving quickly 鈥� but ultimately, it鈥檚 a matter of political will. And in 黑料社区, that will is very clear,鈥� she added.

Riyadh: The next regional hub for compliance

The event in October will gather regulators, bankers, legal experts, and compliance professionals from around the world. For Goulet, it represents a pivotal moment: 鈥淲hat I鈥檓 hoping for are concrete exchanges of best practices. Because sometimes it鈥檚 not the laws that change things 鈥� it鈥檚 the daily interactions between professionals.鈥�

The French senator will speak about financial transparency and international cooperation.

Tangible progress and stronger regional cooperation

Following her recent participation in the 鈥淔ighting Financial Crime鈥� summit in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 10鈥�11, Goulet commended the efforts of the UAE, which was recently removed from the Financial Action Task Force gray list.

鈥淭here鈥檚 genuine commitment at the highest level. And that determination is contagious. We鈥檙e also seeing strong Saudi involvement 鈥� for example, through Nazaha, the anti-corruption authority.鈥�

For Goulet, a regional dynamic is clearly underway: more extraditions, greater respect for judicial cooperation frameworks, and the rising capabilities of local authorities.

Fragmented responses for a global issue

Despite this progress, the senator remains concerned: Between 2 and 5 percent of global gross domestic product is estimated to be generated from money laundering, yet only 1 to 2 percent of those funds are ever recovered.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 billions forgone that could finance schools, hospitals, and infrastructure 鈥� an enormous shortfall for citizens.鈥�

In addition to the extensive use of unregulated crypto-assets and migrant trafficking, Goulet warns about increasingly inventive techniques used by criminal networks: gold smuggled under the guise of coffee and tampered banana shipments.

Challenges in the Middle East

The Middle East is not exempt from these shifts. Goulet highlights several worrying trends: gold trafficking, unrestrained use of crypto-assets, and massive counterfeiting.

鈥淐ounterfeiting isn鈥檛 just fake handbags. It includes fake medicine, defective spare parts, and illicit tobacco. The global cost is estimated at $650 billion per year.鈥� (EU Intellectual Property Office, 2022)

She stresses the need to improve traceability 鈥� even across informal networks such as money transfer systems and certain digital platforms.

Cooperation and upskilling at the heart of the response

To tackle these threats, Goulet calls for stronger multilateral action: targeted training, information sharing, international benchmarking, and the adoption of new technologies.

鈥淲e need to upskill judges, customs officers, and regulators. But we also need to strengthen cross-border cooperation and exchange best practices.鈥�

She also highlights the critical role of artificial intelligence in detecting suspicious transactions and calls for the creation of research fellowships on crypto-assets and their mechanisms.

黑料社区: Toward a structuring role in the international system

As 黑料社区 increasingly positions itself as a regional financial hub, questions are emerging about its future role within global bodies like FATF.

鈥淭he Kingdom has the means, the ambition, and the will. It already applies the rules, cooperates effectively, and leads by example.鈥�

The recent appointment of an Emirati official as head of Interpol, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, she adds, also reflects the region鈥檚 growing influence in global security governance.

A global fight for citizens

According to Goulet, this fight transcends national borders and financial institutions 鈥� and must remain a top priority, amid economic turbulence.

鈥淧recisely because the economic climate is difficult, we cannot allow public money to slip through the cracks. Crime diverts public resources. This is a fight for citizens 鈥� for schools, for hospitals,鈥� the senator said.

Riyadh will mark a new chapter. For Goulet, every conference, every professional exchange, and every regulatory or technological breakthrough contributes to building a healthier, fairer economy.

Next stop: Riyadh 鈥� Oct. 21-22, 2025

Conference: Sanctions, AML and CFT for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of 黑料社区, with the participation of French Senator Nathalie Goulet

Registration link:

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