Doha: A three-day workshop on "Investigation and Prosecution in the Field of Combating the Financing of Proliferation" kicked off today. Hosted by the State of Qatar represented by the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism in collaboration with the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) launched the workshop aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the financing of proliferation of weapons and its mechanisms, and to understand, identify and assess its risks. It also aims to provide insights into the international legal framework governing the financing of proliferation, including the decisions of relevant international organizations and the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In the opening speech of the workshop, Issa Mohammed Al Hardan, Secretary of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and Head of MENAFATF's Technical Assistance and Applications, stressed that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a major threat to global peace and security, adding that the international community has drawn attention to the financing of proliferation of weapons for nearly two decades, recognizing the need to implement financial measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction based on the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1540 (2004). He pointed out that in 2008, the FATF addressed the financing of proliferation by adopting a report that identifies and analyzes the current threat of proliferation financing, in addition to the methodologies used by those involved in proliferation and its facilitators. In this regard, he said that the FATF has been working since 2012 to enhance and refine recommendations to provide countries with the most effective tools to combat the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As for national responses, the response of judicial authorities around the world varies, with many of them being marked by shortcomings in the framework for combating proliferation and its implementation. It has been highlighted, for example, based on the results of mutual evaluation reports, that the majority of judicial authorities do not specifically address the problem of proliferation financing separately from other types of financial crimes, such as financing of terrorism or money laundering. Al Hardan emphasized that the workshop will equip participants from member states with the necessary measures to ensure compliance with requirements for combating the financing of arms proliferation. It aims to strengthen investigative frameworks, support relevant authorities in their roles, and establish solid foundations in this field. The workshop will enhance understanding of FATF standards and Security Council resolutions, highlighting the critical need for effective tracking and prosecution of arms financing crimes. Additionally, it will focus on the importance of large-scale and effective implementation of targeted financial sa nctions. Observers from the group are taking part in the workshop, with the attendance of experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and Executive Office for Control and Non-proliferation experts from the UAE, as well as experts from the Technical Committee for the Implementation of Targeted Financial Sanctions. Source: Qatar News Agency