Latest news with #EAG
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Supriya Sahu honoured for contribution in fight against financial crimes
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, has been recognised for her contribution to the fight against financial crimes. At the 41st Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Group (EAG) held in November 2024 in Indore, Sahu was one of the few individuals honoured for her exemplary leadership and service. In recognition of her work, Ms. Sahu received a commemorative certificate of merit presented by Vivek Aggarwal, former Additional Secretary and Head of the Indian Delegation to Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In a letter, dated April 30, Mr. Aggarwal expressed deep appreciation for Ms. Sahu's dedication, highlighting how her efforts had strengthened the integrity of the financial system and enhanced India's position within the international community. The event, which also marked the 20th Anniversary of the EAG, brought together global leaders, representatives from member States, and international observers committed to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The recognition highlights Ms. Sahu's role in India's successful evaluation under the FATF, where the country was placed under the 'regular follow-up category,' an honour afforded only to a select few of the world's leading economies.
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
EDS releases concerning assessment of RMA reform proposals
Press Release – EDS EDS will continue to engage in good faith as detailed policy development continues at pace. EDS has released its comprehensive analysis of the Government's proposals for a new resource management system and, overall, finds the design concerning. In March, the Government's Expert Advisory Group (EAG) released its recommendations for a new resource management system. The release included a table with Cabinet's high-level responses. 'EDS has added to the table, so it now shows the key recommendations of the EAG, Cabinet's decisions on them, and EDS's position, colour-coded to reflect our assessment of the risk to the environment,' said EDS RM Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen. 'Some of the recommendations are likely to improve the existing system. For example, it's positive to see a commitment to the need for clear environmental limits, not just a system that continually balances development with environment – although a lot will depend on their scope and detailed design. It's also positive to see spatial planning or constraints mapping feature as a tool for signalling where development should proceed and where it should not. 'Many proposed changes to the mechanics of the system also look good. There are measures to make planning simpler and faster (including a national e-planning portal), and for fewer and more consistent plans. Stronger compliance monitoring and enforcement provisions look promising too. 'However, the EAG's recommendations and related Cabinet decisions reveal considerable risks to the environment. Fundamental changes will be needed in some key areas to make the new laws acceptable. 'For example, a system that's limited to managing just the 'externalities' of land uses would fail to address some of the most pressing resource management issues we face, like restoring degraded environments, or creating well-functioning urban environments. We strongly disagree that the central purpose of land use law is 'the need to protect a person's use and enjoyment of their land'. 'Further, a broad framework for regulatory takings, where controls more stringent than national standards would trigger a presumption of compensation, would disincentive local environmental protections even when required to protect a threatened species. This is an especially egregious concept that needs to be dumped. 'There are other risks that could be minimised through careful legislative design. For example, splitting the RMA into two statutes for 'planning' and 'environment', while not a great idea, could be made to work if both Acts are properly integrated. If they aren't, we could see extremely concerning outcomes like environmental protections being made subservient to development or excluded from land-use decisions. There's still a lot of confusion about how the two statutes would work. 'Our table identifies several other risks, including that a new permissive regime could unfold without first identifying high value areas deserving of protection, and in the absence of an independent regulator to ensure evidence based limit-setting and appropriate checks in the system. 'Overall, while we agree the RMA requires reform, there are elements here that could steer us completely in the wrong direction. If the Fast-track Approvals Act is any indication of where we are heading, there are good reasons to be seriously concerned. Replacing the RMA needs careful, thoughtful, nuanced thinking and we have seen little of that for the fast-track process. 'The speed of policy development is another concern: fast law is often bad law. What we don't need is another round of repeal and replacement when the government changes, but that will be the likely outcome if this isn't done right. 'EDS will continue to engage in good faith as detailed policy development continues at pace,' concluded Dr Severinsen.
Al Etihad
07-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
FATF Global Network Secretariat retreat launched in Abu Dhabi
7 Apr 2025 21:38 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Global Network Secretariat Retreat was officially launched on Monday in Abu Dhabi, organised by the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations landmark event, the first of its kind on a global scale, convenes senior officials from the nine FATF Style Regional Bodies alongside the FATF secretariat, for a distinguished three-day this time, experts will engage in-depth discussions on collaborative projects between international network secretariats, focusing on key areas such as typologies, risk assessments, training retreat is being held with the support of the current Mexican presidency of the FATF, which aims to enhance the role of regional bodies in shaping global policies and promoting cohesion and integration across global event underscores the UAE's serious commitment and its pivotal role to strengthening global financial security and fostering international cooperation in the fight against financial crimes. Sergey Teterukov, Executive Secretary of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG), affirmed that the meetings held in Abu Dhabi represent a key milestone in strengthening cooperation among members of the global network. He noted that the event offers a unique opportunity to exchange insights and discuss common challenges following the new round of mutual statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Teterukov explained that the meetings reflect a clear priority of FATF presidency, which places strong emphasis on deepening collaboration between FATF and the relevant regional bodies. He added that this initiative marks an important step in that pointed out that the UAE plays an active role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Global Network to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, through strategic measures that reflect its commitment to strengthening international cooperation — including its recent accession as an observer to the EAG. Teterukov stressed that the UAE represents an advanced model in developing regulatory and legislative frameworks in this domain, emphasising the importance of continuing joint efforts with the UAE as part of regional and global initiatives to improve the efficiency of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.
