Money laundering is a complex and dynamic challenge across the Asia-Pacific region. It involves disguising financial assets derived from criminal activity into funds with an apparently legal source, with devastating economic, political and social costs including drug trafficking and smuggling. Concerns are being raised over this issue, with calls for greater regional cooperation in the fight against money laundering. The UNCAC Coalition’s 15th Asia-Pacific regional meeting focused on challenges of money laundering in the Pacific Island Countries, and the role of civil society in combating money laundering at the regional level, with presentations from Julie Haggie, CEO, and Adam Hunt, Board Member, of Transparency International New Zealand.
