More than 50 representatives from twenty-four Council of Europe Member States’ FIUs (EU and non-EU) participated in the Conference on “Enhancing the Strategic Analysis function of the FIUs – experiences, needs and challenges” convened in Warsaw, Poland, on 20-21 March 2024 by the Council of Europe’s Economic Crime and Cooperation Division (ECCD) in cooperation with the European Commission, Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM).

The Conference was organised in the framework of the joint Technical Support Instrument (TSI) initiative “Strengthening the risk assessment mechanisms and the AML-CFT strategic analysis function of the Polish financial intelligence unit”, through which the Council of Europe is supporting the Polish Financial Intelligence Unit. The main goal of the provided technical assistance is to further enhance the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering/combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime in Poland, including by supporting the exchange of experience and practices with the FIUs from other EU and non-EU Member States and other relevant competent authorities. Furthermore, in organising this event, the ECCD used the synergy with several joint EU/Council of Europe programmes and projects (such as Partnership for Good Governance, Horizontal Facility, Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo and Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in Serbia) implemented by the ECCD in the non-EU Council of Europe Member States as well as the funding of the Ordinary Budget of the Council of Europe.

During the Conference, the Council of Europe presented and discussed with participants the research conducted by the ECCD on “Assessment of the Strategic Analysis automated tools for Financial Intelligence Units”. Conference participants shared their positive feedback on the results of the research and presented analysis, which was followed by the discussion and exchange of experience on practical approaches and common challenges in conducting strategic analysis.

Furthermore, the event provided participants with additional insights on the Polish FIU’s approach to the strategic analysis and development of strategic analysis products, which was followed by the presentations delivered by the Council of Europe experts, as well as the presentations of experienced practitioners from the FIUs of Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Spain, Malta and France, who shared insights on several specific topics in the area of strategic analysis. The participants of the Conference used the opportunity to take a deep dive into different areas of strategic analysis and engage in fruitful discussions with the Council of Europe experts and the practitioners representing various European FIUs. 

The Conference was followed by the Workshop “Implementation of electronic suspicious activity reporting in Poland within the domestic financial regulatory and supervisory system”. 

The activity was organised within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) initiative on “Strengthening the risk assessment mechanisms and the AML-CFT strategic analysis function of the Polish financial intelligence unit”, funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.