Male, Maldives/ 24 April 2025: Disrupting the flow of illicit finance is vital in the global fight against terrorism. Terrorist networks rely on complex financial channels—ranging from formal banking systems to informal money transfers—to fund their operations. Effective implementation of international sanctions and targeted asset freezes is critical in dismantling these networks and ensuring national and regional security.
In this context, UNODC and the Maldives’ Financial Intelligence Unit delivered a specialized training on Using UNSCR 1267 & 1373 to Disrupt ISIL/AQ, Terrorism and Terrorism Financing in the Republic of Maldives, bringing together 24 participants from 12 key institutions, as well as UN officials and experts. The training was delivered within the framework of the “Strengthening Countries’ Capacities to Implement Domestic and International Sanctions Regimes and Prevent the Financing of Terrorism Project”, carried out with funding from the United States.
The training was the first of its kind to be delivered in the Maldives since 2019 and this workshop marked the first workshop under this specific project based on UNODC’s assessment on the Maldives’ UNSCR 1267 & 1373 framework.
Participants explored key areas such as UNSC sanctions and asset freeze, identification and nomination processes under UNSCR 1373, communication mechanisms, post-implementation monitoring and supervision, human rights safeguards and international cooperation. The training emphasized alignment with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) standards.
Participants engaged in collaborative group work and strategic discussions to assess current institutional strengths and identify legislative and operational gaps. A key outcome was the strengthened inter-agency understanding of sanctions implementation responsibilities and the development of a roadmap for further action.
The training also facilitated bilateral meetings between UNODC and representatives of the UN ISIL/Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Monitoring Team with the Maldivian counterparts active in countering financing of terrorism, such as the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maldives Police Service and the FIU.
Moving forward, UNODC will continue its engagement with FIU and other counterparts in the Maldives to explore opportunities for technical support within the context of UNSCR 1267 & 1373. Among others, identified possible areas of assistance include legislative drafting support, development of additional communication mechanisms, development of standard operating procedures, and the performance of an asset freezing exercise.
This activity contributed to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/
(Supported by the United States of America)
