Our annual AML/CFT, Financial Crime & Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the GCC conference (Dubai) is the one place where you, as a local compliance specialist, can find a way through.
‘Culture beats Compliance’ is well known maxim but carries no weight with Regulators. So how do you not only build leading compliance programs but also ensure their take up and the buy in of the workforce? Best Practice is commonly called for but does one size fit all? How can you ensure you are compliant with conflicting global regulations at the same time as ensuring local regulations are adhered too?
This conference has been produced with you the compliance specialist ‘on the ground’ in mind. It is designed to allow you to learn from your peers and benchmark your program with not only the global leaders but also with local prominent companies. This is the must attend conference in the region where you will meet eminent speakers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia as well as other GCC and leading global specialists, we look forward to meeting you.
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
Day One
08:15 – 09:00 Registration opens with early morning refreshments
09:00 – 09:20 Chairman’s welcome, opening address & introductions
09:20 – 10:45 The Art of Financial Crime Risk Management
10:45 – 11:15 Morning refreshments and networking
11:15 – 12:00 Evolving AFC Regulatory Landscape: Challenges for International FIS and Practices Adopted
12:00 – 13:00 Building Strong Governance & Oversight Frameworks for Sanctions Compliance
13:00 – 14:15 Networking lunch
14:15 – 15:15 Panel Discussion: AI, Data & Automation in AML/CFT: Promise, Pitfalls & UAE Regulatory Expectations
15:15 – 16:15 Strategic Overview of Regulatory Priorities: The Expectations and Management
16:15 – 16:45 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:45 – 17:30 Countering Sanctions Evasion Tactics That Evolve With Geopolitics
17:30 – 17:35 Chairman’s closing remarks
17:45 – 18:45 Conference Drinks reception
Day Two
08:30 – 09:00 Early morning refreshments and networking
09:00 – 09:15 Chairman’s opening remarks
09:15 – 10:00 Countering Proliferation Finance: Expectations vs Reality
10:00 – 11:00 Crypto Compliance in the UAE: Navigating the New Virtual Assets Law & Local Regulatory Regimes
11:00 – 11:30 Morning refreshments and networking
11:30 – 12:30 Evolving Transaction Monitoring and STR/SAR reporting with AI: Adapting to Emerging Threats and Regulatory Expectations
12:30 – 13:45 Networking lunch
13:45 – 14:30 Panel Discussion: Sanctions, AML & Fraud: Integrating Compliance Functions Across UAE Financial Institutions
14:30 – 15:30 The State of Play on the Effectiveness of the Current Fight against Financial Crime
15:30 – 16:00 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:00 – 16:45 Managing Financial Inclusion & AML Risk: Striking the Balance in the GCC
16:45 – 16:50 Chairman’s remarks
END OF CONFERENCE
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Reyhan Perera on reyhan.perera@nielsonsmith.com
1 physical 2-Day pass and the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year – 999 USD
The event in Dubai includes sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Groups. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Conference Venue
The St. Regis Downtown Dubai
Marasi Dr – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Accommodation Allotment
Preferential rate: 785.00 AED per night, the room rate is subject to taxes and inclusive of breakfast on single occupancy.
Date of Arrival: 17/05/2026
Departure: 19/05/2026
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for Nielson Smith May 2026
