The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) leadership has agreed executive plans to implement five joint strategic priorities for the group’s 2025–26 presidency cycle led by Jordan in 2025 and the United Arab Emirates in 2026. The priorities, approved at MENAFATF’s 39th Plenary in November 2024, focus on strengthening the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts across the region. The programme covers preparation and delivery of the third round of mutual evaluations, including support for member states undergoing assessment, alongside measures to strengthen MENAFATF’s governance framework. It also includes continued work to implement and complete the action plan for FATF recommendations to make MENAFATF procedures clearer and more targeted, deeper cooperation and coordination with international and regional partners and other regional bodies, and intensified work on implementing international standards by improving understanding of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks, trends and methods. Samia Abu Sharif will serve as MENAFATF President for 2025, with Hamed Saif Al-Zaabi as Vice President in 2025 and President in 2026.

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