25-27 March, Mumbai: The Global NPO Coalition on FATF was represented at the FATF’s annual Private Sector Collaborative Forum (PSCF), held this year in Mumbai. The event served as a key platform for stakeholders across the financial sector, government representatives, and nonprofits to engage in meaningful discussions about the evolving regulatory landscape and its impact on the humanitarian sector.

Throughout the Forum, Coalition members participated in a series of panels, sharing their insights and contributing to important discussions on key issues:

• Evolving AML/CFT Landscape: Sangeeta Goswami, representing the Global NPO Coalition on FATF, was joined by Ned Conway, Director of the Wolfsberg Group; Veronica Studsgaard, Founder of the International Association of Money Transfer Networks; Maarten Pijls from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, and Takahide Habuchi, Co-Chair of Policy Development Group of the FATF. The discussion focused on emerging trends in international financial flows and what further work is needed on a global level to better understand and address these risks.
• FATF’s Efforts in Promoting Financial Inclusion: Panelists included Coalition member Margerita Sanchez from Appleseed Network, Nic Swingler from ABSA Bank, Robin Newnham from the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, and Atalina Ainuu-Enari, Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa. The discussion focused on the implementation of recent revisions to FATF Standards aimed at promoting financial inclusion, including amendments to R1/INR1, INR10, and INR15, as well as updates to FATF’s Financial Inclusion Guidance.
• Humanitarian Channels: The Global NPO Coalition on FATF was represented by members Cherise Chadwick from the Norwegian Refugee Council and Victoria Oheari from Spaces for Change. They were joined by Helène Erftemeijer from the Dutch Banking Association and Melissa Tullis from UNODC. This session examined the impact of recent revisions to FATF Recommendations 8 and 1, as well as UNSCR 2664/2761, on improving access to financial channels for humanitarian organizations. Panelists discussed whether these changes have translated into tangible improvements on the ground and what further steps are needed to ensure that legitimate humanitarian actors can access financial services without undue restrictions.
• Concluding Fireside Chat: Lia van Broekhoven, representing the Global NPO Coalition on FATF, David Howes, Global Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Standard Chartered Bank, and Scott Hanson, Director of Policy & Global Engagement at the International Federation of Accountants, engaged in a conversation reflecting on the takeaways and actions moving forward. The discussion was moderated by Violaine Clerc from the FATF Secretariat and Ned Conway, Director of the Wolfsberg Group.

The Global NPO Coalition on FATF also organized a side event on Day 1 of the PSCF attended by key stakeholders including FATF President and Secretariat, Member States, financial institutions, philanthropies, the Wolfsberg Group, and NPOs. The side event provided an open and informative discussion on the numerous challenges NPOs face in today’s regulatory environment. Topics included the impact of AML/CFT regulations on humanitarian work, financial inclusion of unregistered associations, and the need for greater risk tolerance in the face of derisking by banks. 

For more details on the PSCF event, check out this report by Coalition member Spaces for Change.