Strengthening Regional Defenses Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing: WCO and ZATCA Launch TENTACLE MENA 2025 in Riyadh

From 22 to 26 June 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Programme, in close collaboration with Saudi Arabia's Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), successfully hosted the first phase of the TENTACLE MENA 2025 AML/CTF capacity-building initiative in Riyadh. The workshop brought together 50 enforcement officials from Customs, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), and Police agencies across the MENA region, along with representatives from the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO ME and RILO NA), INTERPOL, and the Egmont Group of FIUs.

In addition to the WCO AML/CTF team, regional experts enriched the sessions by sharing practical insights and region-specific typologies. The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on emerging threats such as concealment techniques, Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) schemes, bulk cash and gold smuggling routes, and risk-based profiling. Participants also explored operational models of inter-agency cooperation, drawing on real-life examples and tactical exercises.

The workshop produced tangible outcomes, including the launch of new operational dialogue channels, the identification of shared risk indicators, and enhanced coordination mechanisms. Several participating countries initiated follow-up steps for potential joint operations and cross-border intelligence exchange. The event also strengthened networks among frontline officers, helping to build a community of practice focused on tackling money laundering and terrorism financing through trust-based collaboration and practical expertise.

The WCO and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing regional capacities through targeted enforcement, intelligence-driven risk management, and sustainable institutional development. This collaborative effort, grounded in regional ownership and operational learning, continues to serve as a cornerstone in the fight against illicit financial flows. The next phases of TENTACLE MENA 2025 will build on this momentum to further enhance the region's collective resilience.