The Counter-Terrorism Committee has welcomed the progress achieved by Member States of the Americas in strengthening mechanisms to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing and in cooperating with the international community.
At its 301st plenary, held at United Nations Headquarters, New York, the Committee heard statements by Mr. Alberto Bazbaz, President of the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT) and Director of Mexico’s financial intelligence unit (FIU), and Mr. Esteban Fullin, GAFILAT Secretary-General.
Committee members were informed about States’ progress and challenges in combating money-laundering and terrorism financing pursuant to the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014) and 2199 (2015).
Cooperation with the Committee and its Executive Directorate (CTED) continued to produce tangible results, but States of the region continued to face challenges in implementing the requirement to freeze terrorist assets “without delay” in accordance with resolution 1373 (2001).
Future Council resolutions should emphasize the role of national FIUs in combating money-laundering and terrorism financing.
GAFILAT (formerly GAFISUD) is a regional intergovernmental organization consisting of 16 States of South America, Central America and North America. It assists its member States to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing by helping to strengthen national policies and mechanisms and enhancing intra-regional and international cooperation.
GAFILAT was established in December 2000 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Founding Member States Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay have since been joined by Mexico (2006), Costa Rica and Panama (2010), Cuba (2012), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (2013).
The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. It is mandated to monitor and assess Member States’ progress in implementing the relevant Council resolutions on terrorism and to facilitate delivery of related technical assistance.