AML/CFT, Financial Crime & Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the GCC Conference, 21 – 22 September 2026, Dubai, UAE
AML/CFT, Financial Crime & Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the GCC Conference, 21 – 22 September, Dubai, UAE
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.
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.
- Mr. Christos Christou, Director of Compliance, LuLu Financial Holdings
- Mr. Michele Valeriani, Group Chief Anti Financial Crime Officer, Generali
- Ms. Claudia Linca, Head of Financial Crime Compliance, MLRO, United Arab Bank
- Mr. Haseeb Ansari, Chief Compliance Officer – Senior Executive Director, Emirates Islamic
- Mr. David Pije, Head of Compliance (Senior Vice President), Commercial Bank International
- Ms. Batoul Assi, Head of Regulatory Compliance, LuLu International Exchange
- Mr. Lloyd Meadows, Director, Sanctions Advisory, Standard Chartered Bank
- Mr. Sailendra Das, Head, Sanctions Risk Analysis and Controls- Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank
- Mr. Sumit Sarkar, Senior Vice President, Head of Sanctions – Sanctions Unit, Mashreq
- Mr. Muhammad Khalid Iqtadar Ahmed Sheikh, Chief Compliance Officer, Ajman Bank
- Mr. Ersin Senel, Sanctions Compliance Supervisor, Yapı Kredi
- Mr. Samir Khiter, Head of Financial Crime & MLRO, Middle East, Barclays
- Ms. Bouchra El Osri, Group Head International Sanctions and Corporate, Generali
- Mr. Wael Al Halabi, Acting Chief Compliance Officer (MLRO), Al Maryah Community Bank
Should you wish to join our esteemed speaker panel at this event, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
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 Managing Financial Inclusion & AML Risk: Striking the Balance in the GCC
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 – 10:15 The State of Play on the Effectiveness of the Current Fight against Financial Crime
10:15 – 11:15 Crypto Compliance in the UAE: Navigating the New Virtual Assets Law & Local Regulatory Regimes
11:15 – 11:45 Morning refreshments and networking
11:45 – 12:45 Evolving Transaction Monitoring and STR/SAR reporting with AI: Adapting to Emerging Threats and Regulatory Expectations
12:45 – 14:00 Networking lunch
14:00 – 14:45 Panel Discussion: Sanctions, AML & Fraud: Integrating Compliance Functions Across UAE Financial Institutions
14:45 – 15:30 From Obligation to Advantage: Transforming Compliance into a Strategic Engine of Trust
15:30 – 16:00 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:00 – 16:45 Countering Proliferation Finance: Expectations vs Reality
16:45 – 16:50 Chairman’s remarks
END OF CONFERENCE
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
The Middle East & Africa Compliance Association (MEACA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven professional body committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and ethical governance across both public and private sectors in the Middle East and Africa. Established to address the growing need for structured compliance frameworks in the region, MEACA serves as a central hub for compliance professionals, offering resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy to promote integrity in business practices.
Mission and Vision:
- Vision: To be the leading professional association in the Middle East and Africa, promoting transparency, accountability, and a culture of integrity in both private and public sectors.
- Mission: To empower compliance professionals with the skills, resources, and knowledge to be effective ambassadors of goodwill within their respective companies and communities. MEACA seeks to foster and nurture a business context where good governance, adherence to laws, ethics, and transparency are the international norm, not the exception.
Core Activities:
- Professional Development: MEACA offers training programs, workshops, and seminars aimed at enhancing the competencies of compliance professionals.
- Networking Opportunities: The association organizes events and conferences to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices among professionals in the field.
- Advocacy and Thought Leadership: MEACA engages with policymakers and industry leaders to advocate for robust compliance standards and ethical business practices.
- Mentorship Programs: Committed to nurturing the next generation of compliance professionals, MEACA provides mentorship opportunities to guide and support emerging talent in the industry
Through these initiatives, MEACA aims to build a resilient compliance culture that supports sustainable economic growth and enhances the global reputation of the Middle East and Africa as regions committed to ethical business conduct.
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
*15% off price for MEACA members
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
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.
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
