The Structure and Function of the Financial Action Task Force

The Financial Action Task Force, FATF, as an inter-governmental body, established in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions. The FATF expressed support for financial inclusion and mobile money as a means to decrease the use of non-transparent cash in many developing countries. In February 2012, it adopted new standards. Trans-governmental networks have become regular forms of international collaboration to address cross-border problems, especially among the western main powers. One element of anti-money laundering system is oversight activities. It should be provided with the risk oriented approach. On the one hand, in order to apply its limited resources to the most dangerous areas and On the other hand, does not interfere the development of legal entrepreneurs with redundant oversight activities. It is known for its Recommendations, many of which are directed towards various kinds of gatekeepers who are in a position to facilitate or inhibit money laundering and terrorism financing consisting of thirty three countries and two regional associations. The FATF spans the globe and include countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. The recommendations of FATF are the international standards for combatting money laundering and terrorist financing activities. In the US, the Recommendations can be seen most clearly in those parts of the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act having to do with the customer/client due diligence, suspicious transaction reports, and no tipping off obligations applicable to banks and other financial institutions. In this article, I am trying to have a survey on the structure and function of this institution and the attempts and obstacles of Iran and European countries to join it.

Keywords:

FAFF , Financial Action , Terrorism , Anti-money Laundering , Developing Countries , UN Security Council