The Republic of Sierra Leone is playing host to the 42nd Technical Commission and Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

The high-level event, taking place at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, has brought together over 200 delegates from 16 West African countries.

David Borbor, Director General of Sierra Leone’s Financial Intelligence Agency, emphasized the significance of the event, describing it as an opportunity for regional stakeholders to deepen collaboration and share innovative strategies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

“Hosting this pivotal meeting is a proud moment for Sierra Leone, as it underscores our commitment to bolstering regional efforts to fight financial crimes.

We look forward to discussions that will enhance the collective anti-money laundering framework across West Africa,” he remarked.

A key focus of the gathering is the review and adoption of the 2nd Round of the Mutual Evaluation Report for the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

This evaluation serves as a critical tool for assessing the effectiveness of anti-money laundering measures and ensuring compliance with international standards.

The GIABA plenary aims to foster regional solidarity by sharing best practices, assessing progress, and addressing emerging challenges in financial crime prevention.