Building Trust, Exchanging Intelligence: UK & UAE Unite Against Illicit Finance

 

The United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their strategic commitment to combating illicit finance through an intensive bilateral visit and joint statement, highlighting a renewed drive for international cooperation in financial integrity.

Held in London, the two-day summit brought together senior officials, regulators, and law enforcement leaders from both countries. At the center of discussions was a shared recognition that illicit finance is a global threat requiring coordinated solutions.

Strengthening the Partnership

The UK and UAE formalized a deeper collaboration framework to disrupt criminal financial networks. This includes strengthening data-sharing mechanisms, improving detection systems, and enhancing joint investigations. By pooling expertise and intelligence, both nations aim to more effectively dismantle illicit finance operations that span multiple jurisdictions.

Building on Existing Efforts

This partnership builds on existing frameworks, including the UK–UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows and initiatives such as CAMLOT. These ongoing efforts highlight a consistent strategy: leveraging joint law enforcement and intelligence capabilities to outpace financial crime.

A Shared Global Responsibility

Both governments emphasized that combating illicit finance is not just a bilateral concern, but a global responsibility. By committing to deeper collaboration, the UK and UAE reaffirm their leadership roles in safeguarding the integrity of international financial systems.

The strengthened alliance is a reminder that financial crime knows no borders—and neither should the fight against it. With trust, intelligence sharing, and joint action at its core, the UK–UAE partnership marks a powerful step toward a safer global financial future.