Media Release: AFP co-chairs annual Asia Pacific Group meeting on Money Laundering
Release Date: Monday, July 16 2012, 08:36 AM
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin will Co-Chair the 15th annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering in Brisbane this week (17-20 July 2012).
The APG annual meeting provides a platform for high-level discussions on ways Asia Pacific nations can cooperate to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Discussions during the meeting will focus on new and enhanced methods to combat this particular crime type and how the region is responding to it.
The meeting will bring together more than 350 delegates from the APG’s 41 member jurisdictions, five observer jurisdictions and 24 observer organisations.
Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the meeting will allow APG member jurisdictions to discuss efforts over the previous year and set objectives on combating money laundering in the region over the next 12 months.
“Money laundering and terrorist financing is a global issue which has significant effects on the Asia Pacific region and requires a very strong international response to combat it,” Deputy Commissioner Colvin said.
“The AFP is working collaboratively with its Asia Pacific partner agencies here in Australia and overseas to disrupt this serious criminal activity.”
Australia is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering which was formed in 1997 to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region enact laws that criminalise the laundering of the proceeds of crime.
The APG also deals with mutual legal assistance, confiscation, forfeiture and extradition relating to money laundering and counter terrorism financing matters within the region.
In recent months, the AFP has completed two major money laundering operations, charging three men and seizing more than $40 million in assets and $6 million in cash alleged to be the proceeds of crime.
Deputy Commissioner Colvin assumed APG Co-Chair responsibilities in May 2012.
He will chair the event alongside APG Co-Chair Dr. Rajan Katoch from the Enforcement Directorate, India.
Media opportunities for the APG meeting include:
Tuesday 17 July – 9:30-9:50am (media to arrive no later 9:20am)
Opening address by Roger Wilkins, Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department. (Photography and video recording only)
Friday 20 July – 11:15 to 11:45am
Media conference with:
• APG Co-Chair, AFP Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin APG Co-Chair and Dr Rajan Katoch, Director of Enforcement, Enforcement Directorate, India
• APG Executive Secretary, Dr Gordon Hook
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6131 6333