As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein,

Minister of Finance for Poland,

President of the Financial Action Task Force,

Ministers,

Distinguished guests and experts,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be here in Warsaw for MONEYVAL’s first high-level meeting.

The fact that the participation today is indeed very strong shows our joint concern over the scale and evolution of money-laundering –

And the financing of both terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Your presence here is also a signal of your shared commitment to combat these crimes –

And through MONEYVAL and its new Declaration and Strategy, I believe we can do that.

We know from experience that where money is siphoned off through crimes such as corruption,
it undermines the very democratic fabric of our societies –

It also means large sums of money being lost from the legitimate economy.

And governments being deprived of resources that could otherwise have been invested in public needs.

So, we need co-operation among us and enforcement to ensure accountability –

To confiscate the proceeds of crime –

And to block criminals from misusing markets.

MONEYVAL can play a vital role in helping governments to make this happen –

By identifying risks, spotting gaps, and pressing governments for action.

But more must be done.

For example, it is clear that some authorities still lack the tools they need.

Others are not moving with the speed or efficiency, or determination required.

And we all know that there are many tainted assets in Europe and elsewhere –

Frozen by sanctions –

And which could and should have been already seized and confiscated.

Added to this, there are new pressures that make the challenge even larger.

The impact of COVID-19 and Russia’s totally unacceptable war against Ukraine, have disrupted economic supply chains –

Increased energy costs –

And resulted in higher inflation –

Adding to the pressure, desperation, and economic fissures on which financial crime feeds.

On top of that, we have weaknesses in the banking system –

And the rise of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, as well as online payment services.

All of this heightens the risks of illicit financial flows.

So, what should be done?

Firstly, I hope that all participants at this conference will confirm their firm commitment to raising the level of compliance with international standards –

And take steps rapidly to adapt their approach to the evolving realities they face –

So that, together,  we can counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism more effectively.

And secondly, I hope that the new declaration and strategy presented to you today, can be seen as an effective contribution.

Among other things, on how to carry out new research and outreach to strengthen safeguards against crime –

How to lay out the best way by which mutual evaluations can be prepared, with visibility and political support –

And finally, how best to develop MONEYVAL’s role in the Global Network led by the Financial Action Task Force – the FATF – and with other regional partners –

Let me here add my appreciation for Dr Marcus Pleyer – and FATF President Rajar Kumar, who will speak in just a moment, for the very positive development of MONEYVAL’s relationship with FATF under their presidencies.

I am glad to hear that MONEYVAL, as the only assessor body in the Global Network, which has already organised five rounds of mutual evaluations –

Will also be the first to launch the next round of mutual evaluations.

This shows the trust placed by the FATF and the Global Network in MONEYVAL, and I believe the Council of Europe as a whole can also take some pride in that.

Similarly, co-operation with the European Union, and in particular the European Commission, will only become more important given the challenges we are currently facing.  

And I am very happy that we are joined today by
Ms Alexandra Jour-Schroeder –

Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.

I note - and appreciate all these improved relations with key actors, plus a range of reforms, and the preparation of a forward-looking new Strategy have taken place under Poland’s Presidency of MONEYVAL.

And I thank the Committee’s excellent Chair, Ms Elzbieta Frankow-Jaskiewicz for her leadership.

Dear friends,

MONEYVAL also works closely with other parts of the Council of Europe –

Including our Conference of the Parties to the Warsaw Convention on laundering, search, seizure, and confiscation of the proceeds of crime –

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) –

And our Committee on Counter-Terrorism.

All of this, no doubt, helps MONEYVAL and our overall efforts.

I trust that it will also help you in meeting the five key priorities, for the next five years, as laid out in your Declaration.

In that text, you recognise the “central role of MONEYVAL” –

And "reaffirm” your “commitment to international and regional efforts”.

Taken together, your commitment, and this new strategy, provide the best opportunity yet to free our continent from “money laundering, terrorism financing and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction”.

It is in everyone’s interests that we grasp that opportunity.

Thank you for your attention.