On October 3, the Sirius 2024 III International Forum was held within the framework of the IV International Olympiad on Financial Security. The event topic was countering the involvement of young people in illegal activities related to AML/CFT: risks, preventive measures, and ensuring financial security for future generations.
The forum, held in a Q&A format, brought together over 1,000 participants from 36 countries, including Olympiad finalists, representatives from financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, universities, banking sector, and international institutions.
The participants’ questions were answered by Yury Chikhanchin, Director of Rosfinmonitoring, Fernando Luis Camejo de la Rosa, Head of the Financial Intelligence Service of Cuba, Mohamed Jawad Shalo, Director of Strategic Partnership and Communications, Head of the Committee of state-and-private partnership in the field of AML/CFT of the UAE National Committee of combating money laundering, financial of terrorism and activities of illegal organizations, Ali Faisal Ba’Alawi, Head of Financial Intelligence Service of the UAE, Mamitiana Radzaunarisun, Head of Financial Intelligence Service of the Republic of Madagascar, Ekaterina Kameneva, Vice-Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, and other speakers.
Olga Tisen, Head of the Legal Directorate of Rosfinmonitoring acted as the Forum moderator.
Participants discussed challenges related to combating fraud, financial crimes, and the use of new technologies for illicit purposes and legislative regulating in the ALM/CFT field. Both the Olympiad participants and the speakers expressed a special concern regarding involvement of young people in criminal activities.
In response to questions from Olympiad finalists, Ivan Uvarov, Director General of the ITMCFM, noted that holding events such as the International Olympiad on Financial Security and Sirius Forum makes it possible allow countries to focus on financial security and preventing youth involvement in criminal activities.
Yury Chikhanchin reiterated the importance of early financial education: “From a young age, children must be informed about financial security and how easily they can be drawn into criminal schemes. The International Movement on Financial Security is designed to educate young people globally on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.”
“We must teach young people to distinguish right from wrong, to share knowledge, and to support one another. It is essential that they become an integral part of national anti-money laundering systems, helping to prevent criminal funds from entering our economies. Young people must have a voice,” Yury Chikhanchin said.
Following the Forum, a Declaration was adopted, underscoring the importance of advancing the International Movement on Financial Security and uniting global efforts to address shared challenges, such as financial fraud, corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and the exploitation of modern technologies for criminal purposes. The document also emphasized the dangers of youth involvement in "dropping" schemes and other illegal activities.
