The joint European Union and Council of Europe “Project against Economic Crime” (PECK III) in cooperation with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) convened for a two-day roundtable dedicated to strengthening capabilities in identifying and mitigating risks related to proliferation financing (PF) of weapons of mass destruction.

The aim of the event was twofold: to inform relevant authorities on available guidance materials related to the assessment of proliferation financing risks, including the Council of Europe’s Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment Methodology, the FATF Guidance on Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment and Mitigation and other related guidance; and to guide working group members on carrying out Strategic Analysis on Proliferation Financing.

The event brought together members of the working group tasked with developing Kosovo’s first Strategic Analysis on Proliferation Financing composed of FIU, Police, Intelligence Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Customs, Department for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety as well as financial and non-financial sector.

In the course of two days, the participants under the guidance of the Council of Europe expert had the opportunity to explore:

• Key concepts, risk factors, and international obligations related to proliferation financing;
• Stages of PF risk assessment, including analysis of dual-use goods, case studies and alert mechanisms;
• Techniques for data collection, covering domestic cooperation mechanisms and international sources;
• Comparative country practices in mitigating PF risks; and
• Identification of PF threats and vulnerabilities, including sanctions implementation and evasion risks.

Interactive sessions allowed participating institutions to provide input from their sectors, encouraging coordinated action and shared understanding of PF typologies.

This roundtable builds on existing cooperation to ensure that national authorities are equipped to identify, assess and prevent the misuse of financial and trade systems for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The activity was organised within the framework of the “Project against Economic Crime” (PECK III), jointly funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter.