The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) announced today that the United Arab Emirates will assume the presidency of the group for the year 2026, represented by H.E. Hamid Saif Al Zaabi.
This leadership comes at a crucial time for the region as MENAFATF prepares to launch the third round of mutual evaluations, aligning with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) fifth round methodology.
Under the UAE’s leadership, MENAFATF will concentrate on enhancing regional readiness for mutual evaluations, updating governance frameworks, deepening international cooperation, and developing strategies to address new and emerging financial crime threats.
The UAE’s presidency is part of a collaborative two-year sequence with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will take over the presidency in 2027. This reflects a shared commitment to continuity and the long-term development of regional capabilities.
H.E. Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, the current president of MENAFATF, expressed honor in assuming this leadership role, highlighting the Middle East and North Africa’s significant position in the global financial system, connecting continents, markets, and major trade routes, where regional developments increasingly affect international financial stability.
He added that with the UAE leading MENAFATF, the focus will be on strengthening the region’s resilience and ensuring that collective efforts effectively contribute to combating financial crimes globally. Through collaborative work, we can elevate standards, build stronger institutions, and create a lasting impact for our region and the world.
Suleiman Al Jebrin, the Executive Secretary of MENAFATF, noted that the shared priorities agreed upon by the UAE for 2026 and Bahrain for 2027 signal a forward-looking vision for the group’s work, providing continuity, enhancing governance, and supporting member countries in their readiness for the upcoming mutual evaluations. This coordinated approach will strengthen MENAFATF’s effectiveness and its role within the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing network.
The UAE’s presidency in 2026 will prioritize the development of institutional governance and internal structures within MENAFATF to improve the efficiency of the group’s operations and its secretariat while enhancing its resources.
International partnerships will also be a key focus during the UAE’s presidency, with plans to expand collaboration with the FATF, regional counterparts, and international monitoring bodies.
Workstreams will be dedicated to examining the latest trends, risks, and experiences in virtual assets, financial technologies, artificial intelligence, the transparency of beneficial ownership, and strengthening cooperation on asset recovery, aligning with global priorities in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of proliferation.
MENAFATF members welcomed the UAE’s presidency and its comprehensive agenda for 2026, affirming that it will contribute to greater regional cohesion, bolster national capacities, and align MENAFATF’s work more closely with global standards and emerging risks.
The group comprises 21 member countries from across the Middle East and North Africa, collectively representing an estimated Gross Domestic Product exceeding $3 trillion, underscoring the region’s strategic importance in achieving global financial stability and international efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of proliferation.