Workshop on International Cooperation in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 16-18 June 2026
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently hosted a workshop on international cooperation in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) in Maseru. The workshop was funded by the American Embassy in Lesotho and was jointly facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Asset Recovery Interagency Network in Southern Africa (ARINSA).
The workshop brought together key stakeholders – Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS), Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), office of the Attorney General (AG) involved in the prevention, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes to strengthen understanding of international cooperation mechanisms and support the development of national guidelines for obtaining and providing international cooperation in AML/CFT/CPF matters.
Discussions focused on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations 36 to 40, which address international cooperation, including mutual legal assistance, extradition, freezing and confiscation of criminal assets, and other forms of cooperation between competent authorities. Participants also explored the practical use of informal cooperation channels to facilitate timely information sharing, enhance coordination among agencies and support the preparation of formal requests where legal processes are required.
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a draft framework for national guidelines on international cooperation. These guidelines are expected to strengthen coordination among competent authorities and provide a clear and consistent approach to engaging with foreign counterparts in money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing investigations.
The workshop further highlighted the need to continuously review and strengthen the legislative and institutional framework to ensure alignment with international standards and enhance Lesotho’s ability to effectively combat transnational financial crime. Participants also considered and agreed to the establishment of a national coordination mechanism to improve communication, cooperation and information sharing among agencies responsible for financial intelligence, investigations, prosecutions, asset recovery and related functions.
For the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the workshop directly supports its strategic objectives of coordinating national AML/CFT efforts, contributing to the development and strengthening of AML/CFT legislation and policy, and enhancing the effectiveness of the country’s AML/CFT framework. Effective international cooperation also supports the FIU’s core functions of receiving, analysing and disseminating financial intelligence by facilitating timely access to information and strengthening collaboration with both domestic and international counterparts.
The workshop represents an important step in strengthening Lesotho’s AML/CFT/CPF regime and reinforces the country’s commitment to international standards, effective inter-agency cooperation and the protection of the integrity of the financial system.
