Jeddah: The first annual general meeting of the Middle East and North Africa’s Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (MENA-ARIN) concluded on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The event was hosted by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) and witnessed broad participation from member states of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), along with international and regional organizations and peer asset recovery networks.
According to Sudan News Agency, Dr. Nasser bin Ahmed Aba Al-Khail, Nazaha’s Deputy for International Cooperation, delivered a closing address praising the successful establishment of MENA-ARIN. He described it as a major milestone that lays a solid foundation for the network’s future. He emphasized that this achievement marks not just a milestone but a qualitative leap, setting a framework for enhanced cooperation, capacity-building, and a shared commitment to combat corruption and all forms of crime.
Dr. Aba Al-Khail reaffirmed that MENA-ARIN remains dedicated to continuous improvement and development, following a clear and ambitious roadmap aimed at strengthening asset recovery efforts across the region. He further reiterated Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to supporting these efforts and playing an active and influential role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the MENA-ARIN network.
Dr. Aba Al-Khail also presented the network’s recommendations to member states, calling for the consolidation of political and operational commitment through the activation of contact points and the intensification of information exchange and asset recovery requests. These steps, he noted, would enhance the network’s effectiveness and make it a tangible and practical tool supporting law enforcement authorities.
The recommendations included developing and harmonizing national legislation to incorporate effective mechanisms such as confiscation, settlements, and modern measures for tracing and freezing illicit assets, in line with international standards and obligations. The meeting also called for enhanced cooperation with regional and international organizations and networks involved in anti-corruption and asset recovery, as well as for capacity-building programs targeting professionals engaged in asset recovery operations.
The second and final day featured several panel discussions on asset recovery and regional and international cooperation. The first session, titled ‘Enhancing International Cooperation for Effective Asset Recovery: Challenges, Strategies, and Partnerships,’ was moderated by Katherine Marty, expert at the UNDP. Speakers included Adrian Foster, Chief Prosecutor and Head of the Proceeds of Crime Unit at the UK Crown Prosecution Service; Alexandra Filzien, Head of the Asset Recovery Office at the French Ministry of Interior; Natalia Kivlenieks, Chief Inspector at the Latvian State Police Asset Recovery Office; and Moudhi bint Mohammed bin Jumaa, Director General of International Relations at Nazaha.
Speakers highlighted national experiences, best practices, and collaborative strategies aimed at enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between states and regional asset recovery networks. They also underscored the crucial role of strong partnerships and coordination in achieving more efficient and effective asset recovery outcomes.
The second session, focusing on ‘Best Practices and Coordination Mechanisms among States to Enhance Transparency and Effectiveness in Asset Recovery,’ was moderated by Brigitte Strobl Shaw, Head of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Branch at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Speakers included Min Jin Cho, Criminal Investigator at the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Korea; Daniel Llurens, Chief Inspector and Head of the Asset Tracing Office at Spain’s National Police; Christian Sanning, Senior Prosecutor at Denmark’s National Unit for Special Crimes; and Joo dos Santos, Prosecutor at the Office of the Public Prosecutor of Portugal.
A third panel, titled ‘Advancing Asset Recovery: International Standards, Support, and Cooperation with MENA-ARIN,’ brought together international organizations. It was moderated by Miad Al-Soghair, Director General of International and Regional Agreements at Nazaha. Speakers included Badr Al-Banna, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at UNODC and the StAR Initiative; Boni de Moraes Soares, National Advisor for International Affairs at Brazil’s Office of the Prosecutor General and Vice President of the GlobE Network; Pierre Casanova Moroni, Acting Director of Italy’s Asset Recovery Office; Iker Lekuona, Director of the International Centre for Asset Recovery at the Basel Institute on Governance; Andrea Terlia, Europol representative and Secretary of the CARIN Network; Martin Pressman, Prosecutor at the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; and Julia Fromholz, Head of the Anti-Corruption Division at the OECD.
Speakers reviewed internationally recognized standards and frameworks for asset recovery, shared insights on available technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities for MENA-ARIN members, and discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation and cross-border coordination. The day also featured presentations from CARIN and other ARIN networks, showcasing successful experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in asset recovery and financial crime prevention.
The meeting marked a turning point in regional and international anti-corruption efforts, as it represented the official launch of the new MENA-ARIN regional network, headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, heralding a new phase of institutional cooperation and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in promoting integrity and building effective global partnerships.