Dubai Police and United Nations graduate First Cohort of ‘Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing' Diploma

Al Etihad

4 days ago

10 July 2025 20:15
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)Major General Dr. Ahmed Zaal Bin Kershan Al Muhairi, Acting Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, witnessed the graduation ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the 'Anti Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing' Diploma, which Dubai Police organised in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the Gulf Cooperation Council region.The diploma program featured 90 participants from 21 different entities nationwide, representing a diverse range of government, semi-government, security, and banking sectors.The graduation ceremony, held at the Dubai Police Officers' Club, was attended by Major General Harb Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Affairs; Major General Salem Ali Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Resources and Support Services at the Ministry of Interior; Judge Dr. Hatem Ali, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the GCC, as well as several deputies from the General Department of Criminal Investigation, along with the diploma participants.Maj. Gen Al Muhairi congratulated the graduates on completing the courses and requirements for the specialized diploma in Anti Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. He highlighted that the diploma's content aligns with United Nations standards and methodologies, designed to train international experts in addressing these cross-border crimes, wishing the graduates success in serving their country and sharing their newfound knowledge with peers.This specialised diploma embodies the vision of our wise leadership and aligns with the nation's strategic goals in supporting the ongoing efforts of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee (NAMLCFTC) and its subcommittees to enhance the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering and terrorism financing system. Additionally, it aims to develop participants' skills, reinforcing the adoption of United Nations standards and practices in this vital area.The diploma program strengthens the country's commitment to combating and preventing these crimes, ensuring robust protection for the national financial system and enhancing the tools and mechanisms to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing.
UN During the ceremony, Judge Dr. Hatem Ali delivered a statement to all graduates, extending greetings from Dr. Ghada Waly, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. He remarked, "Today, we celebrate not only the graduation of this cohort from the diploma program but also the strength of our fruitful partnership with the UAE, whether federal collaboration with the Ministry of Interior or bilateral cooperation with the Dubai Police.'He added, "This is the third specialized diploma we have launched in partnership with Dubai Police, following the Strategic Planning Diploma for Drug Control and the Diploma Programme for Specialists of Combating Human Trafficking. These programs reflect the visionary goals of the UAE and are perfectly aligned with the United Nations' vision. Our work within the Secretariat on UN agreements and international standards aims to prevent and combat crime, transforming theoretical training into practical skills for law enforcement and justice professionals, equipping them to address the challenges posed by crime effectively."Judge Hatem Ali stated, "The programs and diplomas we've developed in collaboration with Dubai Police effectively blend academic qualifications with practical experience. They are built upon the principles and guidelines established by the United Nations. These initiatives seamlessly integrate training with real-world application, directly aligning with the operational tasks of security, judicial, and public prosecution agencies."He continued, "In today's world, technology has transformed daily life and reshaped the nature of crime. We no longer confront simple or traditional offenses; they have become increasingly complex, evolving in form, type, and structure, often transcending national borders. Therefore, it is imperative for us—police, security personnel, prosecutors, and judicial bodies—to prepare ourselves to address these threats to individual and community safety. This is why we continually harness the advantages of these specialized diplomas, including this vital one, to cultivate exceptional individuals and share expertise through UN programs with countries in the region and beyond."He added, "Today, we proudly celebrate the graduation of a cohort of trained Emirati professionals grounded in United Nations methodology, and we hope they will become future experts for both the UAE and the UN." He thanked all instructors for their dedication and commended Dubai Police's efforts in preparing this diploma.
Diploma Objective Meanwhile, Captain Mariam Al Kaabi from the Criminal Training Center at the General Department of Criminal Investigations, who supervises the program, explained that the specialized diploma in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing was developed following a partnership agreement between the Dubai Police and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for the GCC in 2021, after the approval of its comprehensive scientific and specialized training components.She highlighted that the diploma aims to cultivate internationally recognised experts accredited by the United Nations in the fields of money laundering and terrorism financing. 'It focuses on enhancing the skills of national personnel operating in this vital area and strives to standardise concepts related to combating money laundering,' Al Kaabi added.
Four Phases: 100 Hours and 90 ProjectsAl Kaabi outlined that the diploma activities began in 2022 and consisted of four comprehensive training phases. 'These phases included theoretical lectures, workshops, group practical exercises, and the analysis of real-world case studies. The program culminated in the submission of graduation research and successful final interviews,' she stated.
Moreover, Al Kaabi noted that graduates completed over 100 hours of training and engaged in more than 90 graduation projects.