UAE Tightens Anti-Money Laundering Regime With New National Guides, Risk Reviews and Institutional Overhaul

The National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing has approved a wide-ranging package of reforms during its second meeting of 2026, aimed at strengthening national preparedness, enhancing investigative capabilities and reinforcing coordination across institutions, in line with evolving regional and global standards.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the meeting was chaired by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and Chairman of the Committee, and attended by senior ministers, security officials and heads of subcommittees.

The committee reviewed progress made by technical teams and assessed developments across key regulatory and operational initiatives, as part of ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the national anti-money laundering (AML) framework.

In a significant move, the committee approved the restructuring of its subcommittees, updating their mandates to better reflect current priorities and strengthen coordination among relevant entities. New work methodologies and follow-up mechanisms were also introduced to support more effective decision-making at the national level.

To bolster law enforcement tools and procedural efficiency, the committee adopted the “National Guide on Financial Intelligence and Money Laundering Investigations”. The guide sets out updated procedures for conducting investigations, tracing and confiscating assets, and improving coordination among competent authorities. It also expands its scope to include virtual assets and introduces clearer mechanisms for asset recovery, enhancing the overall effectiveness of financial investigations.

Reinforcing its risk-based approach, the committee approved updated risk assessments covering financial institutions, virtual asset service providers, and designated non-financial businesses and professions. These measures are expected to refine sectoral risk classifications and enable more targeted supervisory and enforcement actions.

As part of broader policy and preparedness efforts, the committee also endorsed the second public version of the “National Risk Assessment for Proliferation Financing”, alongside a separate “National Risk Assessment for Non-Profit Organisations” aimed at improving transparency and strengthening risk-based oversight within the sector.

Meanwhile, subcommittees overseeing supervisory authorities and AML investigation bodies presented updates on efforts to tackle unlicensed activities, including findings from a national task force operating under the committee.

Balama said the latest decisions mark a transition towards a more advanced phase of integration and implementation, supported by updated institutional structures, enhanced national guidance and stronger readiness to address emerging risks.

He added that the reforms are central to sustaining the UAE’s framework for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation, while reinforcing governance standards, improving coordination among national entities and maintaining the integrity of the financial system alongside international confidence.

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