EOCN and UAE Ministry of Economy Strengthen Cooperation to Combat Financial Crimes at DNFBPs sector

During the recent DNFBPs Summit 2025, the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) and the UAE Ministry of Economy signed a key cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing national coordination and response to financial crime threats. At the summit, Driven Properties’ Head of AML and Compliance shared his insights on the matter.

This partnership formed part of the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) systems, unifying national efforts and reinforcing the compliance capabilities of both the public and private sectors.

The summit was titled “The Role of the Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) Sector in Combating Financial Crimes.” Among the prominent figures attending the DNFBPs Summit Dubai 2025 were

• Ahmed Al Sayegh: UAE Minister of State
• Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi: UAE Minister of Justice
• Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri: UAE Minister of Economy

The event also spotlighted private sector involvement. Ahmed Omran, Head of Compliance and AML at Driven Properties, was invited as an expert speaker. He shared insights on mitigating financial crime risks within DNFBP sectors, emphasizing the need for collaborative, tech-driven compliance strategies across real estate and other high-risk industries.

“Risk in real estate isn’t just managed—it’s anticipated. In the UAE, we’ve seen a shift from reactive compliance to proactive risk intelligence. By embedding a strong culture of compliance, strengthening governance frameworks, and embracing smart technologies, the sector is not only meeting its AML/CFT obligations but staying agile and resilient in the face of increasing complex threats.”

Through this collaboration, the EOCN and the Ministry of Economy reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to upholding the highest international standards, ensuring the country is well-prepared for future global compliance evaluations and regional leadership in financial crime prevention.

DLD Aligns with National AML Drive Through Strategic MoUs

During the same event, the UAE Ministry of Economy also signed a series of MoUs with several national authorities to strengthen anti-money laundering and combat terrorism financing in the UAE. The signatories for the strengthened UAE anti-money laundering strategy include the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Economic Security Centre of Dubai (ESCD).

The signed MOUs established clearly defined frameworks to support their shared objectives to counter financial crimes in the UAE.

These frameworks involved technical cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange between the signatories. Notably, it included secure data-sharing mechanisms that ensure confidentiality and compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

The key officials underlined that these initiatives not only assisted the UAE in preparing for the next significant international AML/CTF compliance review, but they also guaranteed high standards of legal and regulatory compliance, increasing the effectiveness of countering cross-border financial crimes. These measures have a major impact on attaining sustained economic growth and raising the nation's standing in global competitive indices.