ANNUAL EGMONT GROUP Plenary 6 – 11 July 2025
July 25, 2025
Members of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy recently attended the annual EGMONT GROUP Plenary held in Luxembourg during the period 6 -11 July, 2025.
The Heads of FIU (HoFIU) convened to advance a number of strategic initiatives aimed at reinforcing the role of Financial Intelligence Units within the global AML/CFT framework.
Acknowledging the importance of autonomy and operational independence in positioning Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) as key drivers of effectiveness within their national AML/CFT systems, the Heads of FIU (HoFIU) endorsed a proposal to elevate these principles—previously outlined in internal guidance—to the level of formal expectations for all members, making them part of the Egmont Group’s core requirements. This step reflects the collective commitment to safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of the global FIU network.
Additionally, in line with the ongoing commitment to strengthen secure collaboration across jurisdictions, the HoFIU agreed to pursue enhancements of the ESW that will improve the ability to identify and connect relevant information for AML/CFT analysis—across jurisdictions—in a timely and effective manner, while maintaining strict safeguards around data confidentiality and access control.
Recognizing the importance of training and strong capabilities in today’s financial intelligence landscape, the HoFIU decided to strengthen its flagship capacity building program, ECOFEL, by endorsing a new funding approach to ensure its continued development and sustainability.
The Egmont Group now boasts 181 members following the acceptance of the FIUs from Mozambique, The Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone as members of the organisation. During the event, 47 Memorandums of Understanding were signed by member FIUs, strengthening the opportunities for financial intelligence sharing on ML/TF matters.
The organization selected Mr. Daniel Thelesklaf, Head of FIU Germany, as the new EG Vice-Chair for a two-year term. He is joining Ms. Elzbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz, Chair and Mr. Mohammed Shahid Ahmed, Vice-Chair on our organization’s leadership team.
The 2025 Plenary marked a significant milestone— the 30th Anniversary of the Egmont Group. To commemorate the occasion, the HoFIU decided to designate June 9th as the International Day of the FIU. This date honors the founding of the Egmont Group at the Egmont Palace in Brussels in 1995. The milestone event was attended by around six hundred delegates from the Egmont Group member FIUs, international partners, and observers worldwide who participated and contributed to meetings and the Plenary in Luxembourg hosted by the Cellule de Renseignement Financier (CRF).
FIUs are indispensable in the fight against financial crimes. Their ability to collect, analyze, and share financial intelligence makes them a cornerstone of effective AML/CFT regimes worldwide.
