Sanctions Compliance, AML and CTF for Banking and Finance in the Middle East Conference, 26 – 27 May 2025, Dubai, UAE
Sanctions Compliance, AML and CTF for Banking and Finance in the Middle East Conference, 26-27 May 2025, Dubai, UAE
Our annual Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and AML in the Finance sector in the Middle East conference (Dubai) is the one place where you, as a local compliance specialist, can find a way through.
Our annual Sanctions Compliance for Banking & Finance in the UAE 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, Group Chief Compliance Officer, Lulu Financial Holdings Limited
- Mr. Sumit Sakar, Senior Vice President, Head of Sanctions, Mashreq
- Mr. David Pije, Head of Compliance (Senior Vice President), Commercial Bank International
- Mr. Reid Whitten, Managing Partner, Sheppard Mullin
- Mr. William G. Rich, Global Head, Banking Client Advisory & Risk Management – Sanctions Compliance, Citi
- 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
- Mrs. Enas Liddawi, VP – Head of Regulatory Compliance, Commercial Bank International
- Mr. Talal Shoukat, Senior Manager Sanctions Governance and Correspondent Banking, Commercial Bank of Qatar
- Mr. Hasan Tahir, Head of Financial Crimes Compliance and MLRO, Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Ms. Sara Wahba, Compliance Manager, Visa
- Mr. Wasseem Abdulhak, Chief Compliance Officer & MLRO, Banco Santander International SA DIFC Branch
- Mr. Anicet Fantar, Risk & Compliance Specialist, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance
- Mr. Ciaran Askin, Global Head of Financial Crime, Risk and Compliance, Janus Henderson Investors
- Ms. Gizem Zeynep Bölükbaşı, Vice President – Legal & Compliance, Türkiye Wealth Fund
- Mr. Peter Wilson, Partner, Herminius
Should you wish to join our esteemed speaker panel at this event, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Day 1
08:15 – 09:00 Registration opens and morning refreshments
09:00 – 09:15 Chairman’s welcome and opening address
09:15 – 10:15 Sanctions Screening Best Practices
10:15 – 11:00 Leveraging data, technology and AI in Sanctions Screening
11:00 – 11:30 Morning refreshments and networking
11:30 – 12:15 The Geopolitics of Economic Sanctions: Trends, Challenges, and Global Impacts
12:15 – 13:00 Global Trends in Sanctions, AML, and CTF: A Middle East Perspective
13:00 – 14:15 NETWORKING LUNCH
14:15 – 15:15 Panel Discussion: The Rise of Virtual Assets and Fintech: Compliance Challenges and Opportunities
15:15 – 16:15 Strategic Overview of regulatory priorities of 2025
16:15 – 16:35 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:35 – 17:35 Global Trends in Sanctions, AML, and CTF: A Middle East Perspective
17:35 – 17:40 Chairman’s closing remarks
Day 2
08:30 – 08:55 Early morning refreshments and networking
08:55 – 09:00 Chairman’s opening remarks
09:00 – 10:00 Counter-Terrorism Financing: A Regional Perspective
10:00 – 11:00 Effective Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring Integrity and Compliance readiness
11:00 – 11:20 Morning refreshments and networking
11:20 – 12:20 Leveraging Advanced Technologies: AI and Blockchain for AML/CTF Compliance
12:20 – 13:30 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:30 – 14:30 Conduct Compliance in Middle Eastern Banking & Finance: Navigating Regulatory, Ethical, and Cultural Standards
14:30 – 15:30 Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML): Detecting and Preventing Complex Schemes
15:30 – 15:50 Afternoon refreshments and networking
15:50 – 16:50 Panel Discussion: Horizon Scanning: Preparing for Future Sanctions, AML, and CTF Challenges
16:50 – 17:00 Chairman’s remark
END OF CONFERENCE
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
Dow Jones Risk & Compliance is a global provider of best-in-class risk data, web-based software applications and scalable due diligence services that help organizations manage risk and meet regulatory requirements related to financial crime, third-party risk management, sanctions and international trade. Dow Jones Risk & Compliance combines the expertise of a multilingual research team with industry-leading data scientists and technologists to provide actionable content structured specifically for compliance needs. Our solutions were developed in partnership with top legal and political advisors—including former regulators—to help our clients maintain consistency across global business units and teams.
Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw Global 100 firm with 880 attorneys in 11 U.S. offices located in California, Chicago, Dallas, New York and Washington, D.C., as well as four international offices in Shanghai, Seoul, London and Brussels. The development and expansion of our practice in response to client needs remains the core focus of our leadership. Our
attorneys are problem solvers, not just legal practitioners, and are committed to providing clients with a consistent, exceptional client experience.
The Coalition Against Financial Crime (CAFC) is a public-private working group dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and action in the fight against financial crime. We bring together financial institutions, law enforcement, regulators, and industry leaders to share intelligence, best practices, and solutions that strengthen the global anti-financial crime (AFC) ecosystem.
Free from politics and bureaucracy, CAFC is committed to breaking down silos, driving meaningful change, and equipping AFC professionals with the tools to stay ahead of evolving threats. Through our high-impact conferences, roundtables, and webinars, we provide actionable intelligence, real-world strategies, and direct access to key stakeholders shaping the AFC landscape. Join us in bridging communities for a safer financial world.
The Middle East & Africa Compliance Association is a not-for-profit organization registered
in DIFC that catalyzes and inspires the creation of a more ethical and just world by empowering compliance practitioners. Our focus is to facilitate the professional development of
our members!
Our Vision is to be recognized as the go-to professional association in the Middle East & Africa that serves to promote transparency, accountability and a culture of integrity in private
and government institutions.
Our Mission is to advocate for proper governance and regulatory compliance in the region
and empower compliance practitioners to achieve this objective.
de Risk Partners
A Strategic Compliance Partner. A powerhouse team of former bank CCOs and federal regulators (FinCEN, OFAC, OCC) delivering elite compliance solutions at disruptive fees.
Our Edge:
* Banking DNA: “We’re not consultants; we’re bankers and regulators helping banking colleagues succeed”
* Regulatory Firepower: Advisory team and a leadership team that includes former global banking compliance executives and US regulatory leaders.
* Tech-Forward: Proprietary compliance platforms included in service packages
Core Services:
* Fractional CCO leadership
* BSA/AML and regulatory compliance management
* FinTech, crypto, and emerging risk solutions
* Offshore managed services with bank-grade security
We bring the senior expertise of a global consulting firm at a fraction of the cost. Zero overhead. Maximum impact.
With over two decades of RegTech expertise, Fineksus delivers intelligent AML and financial messaging solutions that empower financial institutions across 32 countries. As part of the Germany-based cleversoft Group, Fineksus brings together global scale and deep domain knowledge to meet today’s complex compliance demands. With AI-driven AML technologies, Swift-certified Service Bureau solutions, advanced financial messaging tools, Fineksus is the trusted choice for banks, FinTechs, brokers, and corporates
Herminius – Providing independent intelligence and advice for informed decision making and reassurance. We help some of the world’s leading decision makers from industry, banking and private equity to create value, reduce risk and make better decisions.
Credible, Current & Connected
We combine access to a global network of trusted associates with in-house industry and geographic expertise
- Professionally run network of associates known to us personally
- Well-placed individuals with direct access to privileged insight
- Information freely sought and freely given
- Many associates exclusive to Herminius
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@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
Start Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
End Date: Sunday, June 01, 2025
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate until: 01 May 2025
The St. Regis Downtown Dubai for 775.00 AED per night, the rate is subject to taxes and inclusive of breakfast on single occupancy
Online reservation link:
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.
