Iran has taken a further step in deepening regional financial cooperation through a virtual trilateral meeting with the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) and Uzbekistan's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), with discussions centered on technical collaboration and regulatory alignment.
The virtual session, hosted by Iran's Financial Information Center, was organized to implement Paragraph 9 of the EAG's technical assistance framework for Iran. Participants included representatives from the EAG secretariat, Uzbekistan's FIU, and the Central Bank of Iran, according to a report from the Iranian Financial Information Center.
Discussions focused on exchanging expertise in financial intelligence analysis and exploring mechanisms to expand international cooperation in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts. Attendees also reviewed current challenges and stressed the need to improve the effectiveness of AML/CFT systems across the Eurasia region.
Both sides assessed opportunities for bilateral and multilateral engagement, sharing domestic experiences in harmonizing regulatory frameworks and supervisory standards.
The meeting represents a strategic step toward operationalizing a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Iran and Uzbekistan's Financial Information Center in December 2023, on the sidelines of the EAG's 37th plenary session.
Analysts view the talks as signaling a shift from diplomatic dialogue to practical, executive-level cooperation—a move that could enhance Iran's standing in regional financial governance and unlock the full potential of its engagement with the EAG.
Such multilateral engagement is particularly significant as closer financial ties with EAG member states and neighboring countries contribute to reducing financial risks and improving the transparency of cross-border transactions.
The EAG, established as a FATF-style regional body, comprises nine member states: Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The group holds associate membership status within the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
