UAE Launches Third National Risk Assessment on Financial Crime and Proliferation Financing

The General Secretariat of the UAE National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Proliferation has officially launched the third round of its National Risk Assessment (NRA). The announcement was delivered during a media briefing held on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.

According to officials, the third cycle will leverage advanced analytical tools and bring together 84 competent public authorities alongside the private sector. The assessment aims to update the national understanding of financial crime risks, guide resource allocation, and enhance policy measures to safeguard market integrity and economic competitiveness.

Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the National Committee, stated that the assessment provides a foundation for policymaking and assists supervisory authorities in crafting risk-based inspection plans. He noted that the initiative will also assist private sector firms in updating their internal institutional risk assessments and compliance controls.

The current cycle builds on two previous assessments. The first, concluded in 2018, established the country's national risk baseline, while the second, approved in 2024, informed the UAE's 2024–2027 National Strategy, which encompasses 11 strategic objectives, 50 sub-objectives, and over 250 initiatives.