The Egmont Group published the Chair’s statement on its annual Working and Regional Group Meetings in Arusha, Tanzania, highlighting new steps to expand secure financial intelligence cooperation among member financial intelligence units (FIUs). Member FIUs signed seven new memoranda of understanding to widen the network of secure channels for exchanging intelligence on money laundering and terrorist financing, alongside continued work on modernising the Egmont Secure Web (ESW) and supporting implementation of newly formalised requirements on FIU operational independence and autonomy. Across committee, working group and regional group sessions, discussions covered ESW data matching implementation, infrastructure enhancements, security audit results and pilot activities, with an emphasis on technology modernisation and responsible use of artificial intelligence while maintaining confidentiality, integrity and availability standards. Key working group outcomes included a new Information Exchange Working Group project on developing Joint Analyses between FIUs, and Membership, Support and Compliance Working Group conclusions that three of four membership applications meet Egmont criteria and will be recommended to Heads of FIU, alongside review of two compliance action plans and approval of one with deliverables and timelines. The Technical Assistance and Training Working Group delivered a pilot course on FIU international exposure and approved concept notes on revamping the operational analysis course, open-source intelligence use in FIU operations and a joint webinar with the International Association of Prosecutors, while the Policy and Procedures Working Group progressed work on guidance for autonomy and operational independence and examined revisions to governance, partnerships and Chair and Vice-Chair selection procedures. Next steps cited in the statement include continuing development of guidance to operationalise the autonomy and operational independence requirements adopted in July 2025, and consideration of membership recommendations by Heads of FIU in Baku, Azerbaijan in July 2026. The Egmont Committee also flagged ongoing ESW data-matching pilots and security enhancements, and further development and launch preparations in 2026 for the ECOFEL Certification Program, alongside preparations for the Thirty Second Egmont Group Plenary in Baku focused on evolving public-private partnership models.
Egmont Group 2026-02-06
Egmont Group chair reports seven new FIU information-sharing MOUs and advances on Secure Web upgrades and FIU autonomy requirements
The Egmont Group's Chair's statement from its annual meetings in Arusha, Tanzania, emphasized expanding secure financial intelligence cooperation among member FIUs through seven new memoranda of understanding and ongoing modernization of the Egmont Secure Web. Key outcomes included a new project on Joint Analyses between FIUs, recommendations for membership applications, and progress on guidance for FIU autonomy and operational independence, with further developments planned for the ECOFEL Certification Program and the plenary in Baku.