[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":314},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-illegal-waste-trade-whats-driving-this-multi-billion-dollar-transnational-crime-and-what-could-stop-it-2060":3,"news-illegal-waste-trade-whats-driving-this-multi-billion-dollar-transnational-crime-and-what-could-stop-it-2060-similar":63,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":309},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":16,"activity":17,"nid":21,"topics":22,"activities":23,"programme":24,"area":24,"websites":25,"language":24,"image":27,"translation_of":24,"countries":38,"tags":39,"authors":59,"images":60,"translations":61,"content":62},9579,"published","2022-05-26T22:52:46.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z","Illegal waste trade: what’s driving this multi-billion dollar transnational crime and what could stop it? ","News","The sixth event in the [Corrupting the Environment](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption\u002Fcorrupting-environment) webinar series discussed waste trafficking, a topic that receives little attention despite generating significant criminal proceeds (estimates suggest up to USD 12 billion per year). In addition to the financial costs, waste trafficking has enormous impacts for the environment, including from pollution or degradation, and inhibits development by fuelling corruption and poverty in some countries.  \n\nCo-hosted on July 1 by the OECD and the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption team, the event featured speakers from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, plus two international experts on environmental enforcement and corruption.\n\nA particular focus was the [FATF report on _Money Laundering in Environmental Crime_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fatf-gafi.org\u002Fmedia\u002Ffatf\u002Fdocuments\u002Freports\u002FMoney-Laundering-from-Environmental-Crime.pdf) issued a few days prior to the event, which covers waste trafficking alongside illegal mining and logging. \n\nWatch the [full recording on YouTube](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FT-POVucGPoU) or read the summary below.\n\n### Skewed incentives drive waste trafficking\n\nWaste typically has a negative value – it costs businesses money to treat it in a way  that is safe and does not harm the environment. Costs include treatment, technology and labour costs in line with national laws and environmental regulations.\n\nThere is therefore an incentive for companies wishing to avoid these costs to export the waste to other countries with less strict environmental standards, or to illegally dump and dispose of such waste. Many such companies are in developed countries and include licensed waste management firms. Common destinations depending on the type of waste are Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and West Africa.\n\nThis trade becomes illegal when it violates the [Basel Convention](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.basel.int\u002F) on controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, or the rules and regulations of both exporting and importing counties. Examples are when importing countries receive waste they have not consented to, or when the waste shipment  is contaminated with hazardous materials.\n\nAll exports of hazardous waste from OECD countries to other parts of the world are prohibited under the Basel Convention’s Ban Amendment.\n\n### Extracting value from waste\n\nAs well as cutting costs, companies also generate criminal proceeds by illegally selling or trading waste as second-hand goods, or burning it to generate energy.\n\nAccording to the FATF report, the profit generated from illicit waste amounts to USD 10–12 billion annually, which puts profits  on a par with other major crime areas such as human trafficking.\n\nDue in part to the significant profits, organised crime groups in some countries have entered and sought to take advantage of this criminal market.\n\n### A high-profit, low-risk crime\n\nWaste trafficking is still a high-profit and low-risk crime. Detection, investigations and prosecutions are rare, and penalties are low.\n\nUnscrupulous companies wishing to take advantage of what is in effect a “self-certification” process may bribe public officials that issue waste management permits, or co-opt the relevant inspectors, customs agents and port officials into the trafficking scheme. Law enforcement officers may also lack the specialist knowledge and technical capacity to differentiate legal from illegal waste shipments. \n\nFrom a wider enforcement point of view, it was stressed that it is both urgent and critical for environmental law enforcement officers to gain greater knowledge of money laundering and increase their technical capacity in asset tracing. In the case of Indonesia, the Indonesian Constitutional Court on 29 June 2021 decided to give authority to specialist environmental enforcement officers to enforce money laundering offences related to environmental crimes.\n\n### As simple as just changing a number\n\nA common technique mentioned by the panellists is falsifying documents to, for example, mis-classify waste as recycling or second-hand goods, or classify hazardous waste as non-hazardous. It can be as simple as changing the waste code from the European Waste Catalogue (commonly known as CER code), falsifying the destination, or under-\u002Fover-invoicing the shipment.\n\nThe fact that criminals – individuals or organised crime networks – often operate legitimate waste management companies makes it easy to hide the criminal origins of their funds. Those who engage in both legal and illegal waste trade can easily mix the payment across the two business lines.\n\nThese same companies also misuse the trade sector to conceal movement of value and proceeds across borders. This includes by under- and over-invoicing for shipments, among other techniques.\n\nThe panellists offered some hope, though. Compared to other environmental crimes such as illegal logging, where criminals make use of complex corporate structures and offshore financial centres to launder their proceeds, those engaged in waste trafficking appear to use less sophisticated techniques.\n\nSo in theory, there is a lot of scope to detect, investigate and prosecute waste criminals to clean up the industry.\n\n### Follow the money to find those who _aren’t_ getting their hands dirty?\n\nA follow-the-money approach to waste crime – i.e. systematically applying financial investigation techniques to trace illicit financial flows to reveal the kingpins behind criminal operation– has huge potential to support current enforcement efforts.\n\nThe tools, capacity and awareness to investigate financial crimes related to waste trafficking, including corruption, are however lacking. This is no surprise, given that several previous webinars in the [Corrupting the Environment series](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption\u002Fcorrupting-environment) have found that environmental crimes generally are distressingly low on the priority list of law enforcement and financial intelligence units in most countries.\n\nIn the judicial process, prosecutors have until recently been hampered by the lack of a clear methodology to calculate the cost of harms caused by illegal waste shipments. A new methodology developed by the European Union’s WasteForce project aims to help remedy this gap by proposing a [framework to generate information on the health risks and environmental damage](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wasteforceproject.eu\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FD2.3-WasteForce-Measuring-Environmental-Damage.pdf) caused by individual waste transports and to give those harms a monetary value.\n\nThe argument to apply a follow-the-money approach to waste crime is even more compelling in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, which posed significant challenges for physical inspections and law enforcement operations.\n\n### Preventing waste crime starts with a proper risk assessment…\n\nThe panellists emphasised the need for stronger prevention measures to complement the existing enforcement efforts. The FATF has found that less than half of the countries that participated in their study had considered the laundering threats from waste trafficking within their national risk assessments.\n\nRisk assessment is particularly important because it informs the allocation of resources and the priorities of government agencies, including law enforcement and financial intelligence units.\n\nThe FATF report lists several risk indicators as a starting point for government and private sector actors to consider their risk exposure from waste trafficking.\n\n### …and requires cross-sector collaboration\n\nMore intensive collaboration and multi-stakeholder dialogue between environmental crime experts, customs and financial investigators is another key recommendation arising from the webinar.\n\nThis means both strategic and tactical information-sharing and the formation of dedicated taskforces or communication channels.\n\nBuilding a complete picture of the waste industry and criminal threats will also require inputs from across the public and private sectors, such as legitimate waste management companies or industry associations, law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. This includes dialogue on the key criminal loopholes and what suspicious financial flows relating to illegal waste trade might look like.\n\nEnvironmental agencies need greater capacity to “follow the money”, either through building in-house expertise or working in joint investigation teams with financial investigation and asset recovery experts. This would help them apply this powerful approach to all environmental crimes, not only waste trafficking.\n\nFinally, as ever, preventing crimes that are facilitated by corruption and money laundering – like waste crimes and so many other crimes that harm the environment and human health – needs governments to have effective anti-money laundering systems in place. Implementing the FATF Recommendations, including those on beneficial ownership registries, is an important place to start.\n\n### With thanks to our panel\n\n*   Ailsa Hart, Policy Analyst, Financial Action Task Force (FATF)\n*   Nancy Isarin, Environmental Enforcement Expert\n*   Yazid Nurhuda, Director for Criminal Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia\n*   Dr Antonio Pergolizzi, Environmental Analyst, Visiting Professor at the University of Camerino and Author of [_Emergenza green corruption: Come la corruzione divora l'ambiente_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.it\u002FEmergenza-corruption-corruzione-divora-lambiente\u002Fdp\u002F8893760460)\n*   Juhani Grossmann, Team Leader - Green Corruption programme, Basel Institute on Governance (moderator)\n\n### More:\n\n*   The full recording is [here on YouTube](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FT-POVucGPoU).\n*   See an [interview with Dr Antonio Pergolizzi](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=HCdWxdldtJI) on the characteristics of waste trafficking in Italy and how to address the crime.\n*   Register now for our next event on [first-hand insights into what Indonesians think about environmental corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.zoom.us\u002Fwebinar\u002Fregister\u002FWN_6fHJrxvBSDqV__VbRJLMJw) on 18 August 2021.\n*   Learn more about the [Corrupting the environment webinar series](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption\u002Fcorrupting-environment) and see previous summaries and video recordings.","2021-07-16",[14,15],"Anti-Money Laundering","Green Corruption","illegal-waste-trade-whats-driving-this-multi-billion-dollar-transnational-crime-and-what-could-stop-it-2060",[18,19,20],"Events","Insights","Presentations",2060,[14,15],[18,19,20],null,[26],"Main page",{"id":28,"storage":29,"filename_disk":30,"filename_download":31,"title":9,"type":32,"created_on":33,"modified_on":33,"charset":24,"filesize":34,"width":35,"height":36,"duration":24,"embed":24,"description":24,"location":24,"tags":24,"metadata":37,"focal_point_x":24,"focal_point_y":24,"tus_id":24,"tus_data":24,"uploaded_on":33},"56a7fea8-f684-4ad5-bd68-53b721851644","local","56a7fea8-f684-4ad5-bd68-53b721851644.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:17:57.000Z",32182,1400,528,{},[],[40],{"id":41,"news_id":42,"tags_id":56},5795,{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":43,"date_created":7,"user_updated":44,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":28,"date":12,"topic":45,"slug":16,"activity":46,"nid":21,"topics":47,"activities":48,"programme":24,"area":24,"websites":49,"translation_of":24,"language":24,"countries":50,"tags":51,"authors":52,"images":53,"translations":54,"content":55},"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30",[14,15],[18,19,20],[14,15],[18,19,20],[26],[],[41],[],[],[],[],{"id":57,"name":58},1303,"Environment",[],[],[],[],[64,96,127,149,173,197,226,247,268,287],{"id":65,"body":66,"status":6,"type":10,"date":67,"slug":68,"title":69,"image":70,"countries":71,"topic":75,"activity":76,"tags":78,"nid":85,"topics":86,"activities":87,"authors":88,"images":89,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":91,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":92,"user_updated":43,"date_updated":93,"content":94,"link":95},10613,"Carbon markets are meant to help finance forest protection and climate action. Yet too often they are undermined by weak governance, corruption risks and a lack of transparency.\n\nConcerns over the credibility of some carbon credits erode trust in a system designed to channel climate finance and support forest-dependent communities.\n\nA new international project aims to address these challenges head-on by strengthening governance and anti-corruption safeguards across forest carbon markets. The Basel Institute on Governance is pleased to join this effort as a project partner, contributing its expertise through the Green Corruption programme.\n\n### A collaborative effort for better carbon market governance\n\nThe project, [Towards Inclusive Governance for Forest Carbon Markets](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.transparency.org\u002Fen\u002Fprojects\u002Ftowards-inclusive-governance-for-forest-carbon-markets), is led by Transparency International and funded by the UK Government through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) [Forest Governance, Markets and Climate](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Finternational-development-funding\u002Fforest-governance-markets-and-climate-fgmc2-programme-accountable-grants) programme.\n\nRunning until March 2028, the initiative brings together a consortium including the Basel Institute on Governance, Resource Extraction Monitoring and local Transparency International chapters in focus countries. Together, the partners will work to reduce corruption risks in forest carbon markets and strengthen the integrity of carbon credit systems.\n\nThe project will focus on three key countries – Indonesia, Ghana and Cameroon – supporting governments, civil society organisations, certifiers, private sector actors and forest-dependent communities to better identify and mitigate corruption risks linked to carbon credit projects.\n\nCarbon markets are inherently transnational: credits may be generated in one country, verified in another and purchased in a third. This complexity creates opportunities for corruption networks to exploit regulatory gaps, conflicts of interest and weak oversight mechanisms. The project aims to close those gaps by combining evidence generation, national advocacy and international engagement.\n\n### Bringing anti-corruption expertise to forest carbon markets\n\nThe Basel Institute will play a central role through our [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption), which focuses on tackling corruption linked to environmental crimes and natural resource governance.\n\nOur team is leading the project’s first major output: consolidating available data, gathering evidence to identify typologies of corruption risks in forest carbon markets and developing global, gender-sensitive guidelines to help prevent them.\n\n*   Working closely with partners and national stakeholders, we are leading the organisation of corruption risk identification workshops in Indonesia and Ghana. These workshops will bring together key actors across the carbon market ecosystem to map corruption vulnerabilities in carbon markets systems and identify practical actions to mitigate these risks. The findings will feed into country-specific risk assessments.\n*   In parallel, our team is conducting an assessment of global carbon markets governance dynamics and vulnerabilities to corruption.\n*   Ultimately national and international assessments will inform the development of global guidelines, which will be designed to strengthen anti-corruption safeguards across carbon markets.\n*   These global guidelines will then support advocacy and reform efforts led by Transparency International and its national chapters.\n*   We will also contribute to global advocacy efforts by advising international certification bodies and other actors on improving safeguards and governance standards in carbon markets.\n\nDr Amanda Cabrejo le Roux, Deputy Director of the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption programme, said:\n\n> _“Carbon markets hold real promise for forests, communities, and the climate_ _— but promise alone isn't protection. Like any system that moves money at scale, they are vulnerable to those who would bend the rules for personal gain. The first step is a rigorous analysis of corruption risks: mapping_ _scenarios and building clear typologies, through sector-wide workshops and consultations with all key stakeholders. From there, those same actors can work together to develop practical mitigation measures_ _— building a system that is genuinely resilient. That is exactly what this project sets out to do.\"_\n\n### Part of a wider “green” governance agenda\n\nThe project aligns with the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption strategy, which increasingly focuses on corruption and governance challenges linked to climate change and the global energy transition.\n\nForest carbon markets involve complex financial flows, transnational actors and high-stakes environmental outcomes, making strong governance and anti-corruption safeguards essential.\n\nWith years of experience analysing corruption risks in environmental and natural resource sectors and beyond, the Basel Institute is well placed to contribute to this work.\n\nBy contributing our expertise to the project, we aim to help ensure that carbon markets deliver on their promise: protecting forests, supporting communities and advancing credible climate action.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   View the full [project overview](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.transparency.org\u002Fen\u002Fprojects\u002Ftowards-inclusive-governance-for-forest-carbon-markets) on the Transparency International website.\n*   Interested in corruption and governance in the environmental space? Join the [Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fenvironmental-corruption.org\u002F), a global community of practitioners jointly led by the Basel Institute on Governance, Transparency International, WWF and TRAFFIC.","2026-05-27","new-international-project-targets-corruption-risks-in-carbon-markets-2973","New international project targets corruption risks in carbon markets","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F2c25ec09-133d-47b9-a236-7cdd888ae525?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[72,73,74],7810,7811,7812,[15],[77],"Partnerships",[79,83],{"tags_id":80},{"id":81,"name":82},859,"Corruption risks",{"tags_id":84},{"id":57,"name":58},2973,[15],[77],[],[],"English",[],"2026-06-04T21:13:42.000Z","2026-06-04T21:13:43.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-international-project-targets-corruption-risks-in-carbon-markets-2973",{"id":97,"body":98,"status":6,"type":10,"date":99,"slug":100,"title":101,"image":102,"countries":103,"topic":105,"activity":106,"tags":107,"nid":118,"topics":119,"activities":120,"authors":121,"images":122,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":123,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":93,"user_updated":43,"date_updated":124,"content":125,"link":126},10614,"Malawi’s forests and wildlife are under growing pressure from illegal exploitation, driven by rising demand for natural resources and enabled by corruption and illicit financial flows. From illegal logging to wildlife trafficking, environmental crimes not only threaten biodiversity and local livelihoods, but also weaken public institutions and deprive the country of vital resources for sustainable development.\n\n> Charcoal illustrates the complex challenges involved: According to Malawi’s National Charcoal Strategy 2017–2027, 97% of households rely on illegally and unsustainably sourced charcoal and firewood for cooking and heating. In response to the resulting deforestation and forest degradation, the government has tightened enforcement against illegal wood harvesting and charcoal production while promoting alternative cooking fuels.\n\nBuilding on several years of collaboration with government partners in Malawi, the Basel Institute on Governance is launching a new project to strengthen the country’s response to environment-related financial crime and corruption.\n\nThe three-year initiative, _Mainstreaming Malawi’s progress in tackling environment-related financial crime and corruption_, is funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and implemented through the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption programme.\n\nActivities have commenced on the ground and will run through to June 2028.\n\n### A joined-up approach: enforcement and prevention\n\nThe project supports Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Anti-Corruption Bureau in strengthening both enforcement capacities and corruption prevention systems linked to wildlife and forestry crimes.\n\nRather than focusing solely on individual criminal cases, the initiative takes a broader institutional approach. It combines financial investigation techniques and case-based mentoring with efforts focusing on prevention to strengthen internal controls, improve inter-agency coordination and reduce corruption vulnerabilities within environmental agencies themselves.\n\nAmong the planned activities are:\n\n*   mentoring investigators and prosecutors working on corruption and money laundering cases linked to wildlife and forestry crime;\n*   supporting the development of digital case registration and tracking systems to strengthen case management from investigation to prosecution;\n*   helping Institutional Integrity Committees and internal auditors identify and mitigate corruption risks; and\n*   developing training, practical guidance and knowledge products to support long-term institutional capacity.\n\nDr Amanda Cabrejo le Roux, Deputy Director of Green Corruption and the project lead, said:\n\n> _“This project represents a significant step forward in our efforts to support environmental agencies in protecting Malawi’s wildlife and natural resources, while also reinforcing institutional integrity. By combining financial investigation techniques with robust prevention systems, we help our government partners create a sustainable framework for countering financial crime linked to the environment.”_\n\n### Building on proven partnerships\n\nThe project expands on [earlier DEFRA-funded work](https:\u002F\u002Fiwt.challengefund.org.uk\u002Fproject\u002FXXIWT117) implemented jointly by the Basel Institute and the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, which helped strengthen anti-corruption responses to wildlife crime through a combination of enforcement support and corruption prevention measures.\n\nThrough this and over a decade of engagement in Malawi, we enjoy strong working relationships with Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Malawi Police Service – partnerships that now provide the foundation for broader and more ambitious work on environment-related financial crime.\n\nThe initiative also connects to the Basel Institute’s wider Green Corruption programme, which supports governments and partners around the world in addressing corruption linked to environmental crime, climate change and the global energy transition.\n\nAs global demand for timber, minerals and other natural resources increases, corruption risks linked to environmental exploitation are becoming more complex and transnational. Through our work in Malawi and beyond, the Basel Institute aims to strengthen the governance systems needed to protect natural resources, safeguard communities and ensure environmental policies can be effectively enforced.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Find out about the [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption).\n*   Interested in corruption and governance in the environmental space? Join the [Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fenvironmental-corruption.org\u002F), a global community of practitioners jointly led by the Basel Institute on Governance, Transparency International, WWF and TRAFFIC.","2026-05-26","advancing-malawis-efforts-against-corruption-and-environmental-crime-2974","Advancing Malawi’s efforts against corruption and environmental crime","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F40863cc9-1058-40d7-a0e5-404a96dc9ae9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[104],7813,[15],[77],[108,110,114],{"tags_id":109},{"id":57,"name":58},{"tags_id":111},{"id":112,"name":113},1373,"Corruption prevention",{"tags_id":115},{"id":116,"name":117},1374,"Law enforcement",2974,[15],[77],[],[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:44.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fadvancing-malawis-efforts-against-corruption-and-environmental-crime-2974",{"id":128,"body":129,"status":6,"type":130,"date":131,"slug":132,"title":133,"image":134,"countries":135,"topic":136,"activity":138,"tags":139,"nid":140,"topics":141,"activities":142,"authors":143,"images":144,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":145,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":146,"user_updated":24,"date_updated":24,"content":147,"link":148},10617,"As the use of virtual assets accelerates worldwide, so too does their appeal to criminal actors looking to move money faster, hide transactions more effectively and stay one step ahead of enforcement authorities.\n\nAnd it’s natural that when people discuss crypto-related crime, the focus is often on governments, regulators, law enforcement agencies and the private sector – crypto exchanges, financial institutions and blockchain intelligence firms.\n\nWhat about international organisations, non-profits, expert networks and professional associations – what role do they play behind the scenes? And how much impact can they really have when it comes to tackling illicit activity involving virtual assets?\n\nThese questions were at the centre of a [webinar](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002FIOs_virtualassets) co-hosted by the Basel Institute on Governance and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The discussion brought together experts from the OSCE, the Basel Institute, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Moldova, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime.\n\nAcross the discussion, speakers kept circling around the same point: the crypto-crime field does not need more vague talk about cooperation or more one-off awareness workshops. It needs practical, sustained and operational forms of support that help investigators, prosecutors and financial intelligence units respond to increasingly sophisticated criminal activity.\n\n### Beyond awareness raising\n\nA recurring theme throughout the discussion was the gap between recognising the problem and building the capability to address it.\n\nSpeakers noted that crypto-related crime evolves faster than most institutions can adapt. Bots on the Telegram messaging app are now providing money-laundering-as-a-service, as one speaker noted by way of example. Criminal actors – and bots – exploit regulatory gaps, fragmented information-sharing systems and uneven levels of expertise across jurisdictions.\n\nAt the same time, many authorities are still in the early stages of developing operational capacity.\n\nThis is where international organisations and networks can play an important role. Not simply by producing guidance documents or organising workshops and conferences – which are necessary but not sufficient – but by helping countries build practical and lasting capabilities.\n\nThe OSCE shared examples from its regional [project on mitigating the money laundering risks of virtual assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002FIOs_virtualassets), which supports participating states across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and Mongolia.\n\nOne example was Moldova’s sectoral national risk assessment on virtual assets. Beyond identifying vulnerabilities, the process helped prompt institutional action and legislative development.\n\nThe OSCE also pointed to measurable operational outcomes linked to its capacity-building support. Institutions supported through the programme, for example, traced more than USD 100 million in illicit crypto assets in 2025 alone.\n\n### Why PowerPoint presentations are not enough\n\nSeveral speakers emphasised that complex investigations involving virtual assets and asset recovery require highly specialised expertise that cannot be built through isolated workshops.\n\nInvestigators need opportunities to apply knowledge in real cases. Financial intelligence units need ongoing mentoring and technical support. Prosecutors need to understand not only the technology itself but also how to present complex digital evidence in court.\n\nThe Basel Institute highlighted the importance of long-term engagement with practitioners. The approach of its [International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery) includes combining case-centered training with hands-on mentoring, operational support on live cases and efforts to foster collaboration between different government agencies and with the private sector.\n\nTogether with highly effective train-the-trainer programmes, the focus is on helping agencies develop capabilities that can evolve alongside changing technologies and criminal methods, rather than delivering isolated workshops.\n\n### Networks that make cooperation operational\n\nThe webinar also challenged the tendency to talk about “international cooperation” in abstract terms. In practice, it’s difficult to develop trusting relationships between individuals and institutions operating in very different legal and cultural contexts, especially where there are language barriers.\n\nIn this environment, organisations such as the OSCE, Basel Institute, UNODC and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime can act as connectors between sectors, jurisdictions and professional communities. They can:\n\n*   help investigators and practitioners exchange expertise and emerging typologies;\n*   create trusted channels for faster information sharing;\n*   connect authorities facing similar challenges across jurisdictions;\n*   support the development of common standards and approaches; and\n*   bridge gaps between public authorities, financial institutions and technical experts\n\nOne example is the Global Coalition’s proposal to develop a framework for sharing illict crypto wallet attribution data between public authorities – a major need, especially for jurisdictions without the resources to purchase multiple blockchain intelligence tools.\n\n### Research and analysis as a basis for action\n\nAnother important thread running through the webinar was the role of research and evidence-based analysis.\n\nAs technologies and criminal typologies evolve rapidly, policymakers and practitioners need reliable analysis rather than hype or speculation. Speakers discussed how international organisations support countries by analysing emerging threats, identifying trends and helping governments design informed legal and operational responses.\n\nSpeakers highlighted several concrete projects, such as UNODC research into [scam compounds](https:\u002F\u002Ftrack.unodc.org\u002Ftrack\u002Fen\u002Ftrack\u002Fresourcehub\u002F2025\u002Finflection_point_global_implications_of_scam_centres_underground_banking_and_illicit_online_marketplaces_in_southeast_asia.html) and cyber-enabled fraud in Southeast Asia and into the links between [cybercrime and corruption](https:\u002F\u002Ftrack.unodc.org\u002Ftrack\u002Fen\u002Ftrack\u002Fresourcehub\u002F2025\u002Fthe_nexus_between_cybercrime_and_corruption.html), and the Global Coalition’s research on links between gaming and crypto-related financial crime.\n\n### A rapidly evolving challenge\n\nThe webinar closed with a discussion on what aspects of collaboration participants would most like to strengthen in the virtual assets space.\n\nWhile perspectives differed, there was broad agreement that current models of cooperation and capacity building are still not moving fast enough to match the pace of technological change and criminal innovation.\n\nIt’s been said many times, but it warrants saying again: As virtual assets continue to evolve at breakneck speed, so too must the international response.\n\nThe discussion demonstrated that international organisations, non-profits and professional networks can have significant impact – particularly when they focus less on rhetoric and more on operational support, sustained partnerships and measurable outcomes.\n\n### Speakers\n\nWith thanks to our moderator, Vera Strobachova-Budway, Head of the Economic Governance Unit, OSCE, and to our excellent speakers:\n\n*   Erlin Agich, Associate Anti-Corruption Officer, OSCE\n*   Valentin Draganel, Deputy Head, Financial Intelligence Unit Moldova\n*   Alexandru Donciu, Specialist, Financial Investigations – Virtual Assets, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Fabrizio Fioroni, AML\u002FCFT Advisor, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)\n*   Michal Gromek, Chair, Digital Assets Task Force, Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   View the recordings: browse the [full playlist](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP8mqlkcvhkC5kNXuX1M7ax4&si=HeEsEW6u_V9OnsCb) or go straight to individual interventions: [Vera Strobachova-Budway](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FPyjFVx3Da1I), [Erlin Agich](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FyxyKjh2qbc0), [Valentin Draganel](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Ffn-P6Q1Q04Y), [Alexandru Donciu](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fi6AoR2bBGGk), [Fabrizio Fioroni](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FJCET83V2nFk) and [Michal Gromek](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fb18ACqpIM64), plus the final [lightning round](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fu61VF8rxR5k).\n*   Sign up to the second joint Basel Institute-OSCE webinar on the role of [investigative journalists in tackling crime linked to virtual assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fjournalism_virtualassets), on 2 June 2026.\n*   Read the OSCE’s [Decoding Crypto Crime – A Guide for Law Enforcement](https:\u002F\u002Foceea.osce.org\u002Foceea\u002F587475) in multiple languages.\n*   Learn more about the [OSCE Virtual Assets project](https:\u002F\u002Fprojects.osce.org\u002Fvirtualassets).\n*   Learn about the Global Coalition’s [Digital Asset Task Force](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gcffc.org\u002Fsectors\u002Fdigital-asset-task-force-(datf)) and how you can get involved.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s training opportunities are now open to individuals – learn more about short online courses on [crypto and blockchain compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcrypto-aml-training) and [financial investigations and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fassetrecovery-openenrolment); plus [postgraduate courses on anti-corruption and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy).","Blog","2026-05-19","virtual-assets-real-world-crime-and-the-search-for-effective-responses-2967","Virtual assets, real-world crime and the search for effective responses","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fb16bddc0-613b-402f-baca-77cc9a835cd9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14,137],"Asset Recovery",[18],[],2967,[14,137],[18],[],[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:46.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-assets-real-world-crime-and-the-search-for-effective-responses-2967",{"id":150,"body":151,"status":6,"type":10,"date":152,"slug":153,"title":154,"image":155,"countries":156,"topic":158,"activity":159,"tags":160,"nid":163,"topics":164,"activities":165,"authors":166,"images":167,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":168,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":169,"user_updated":43,"date_updated":170,"content":171,"link":172},10606,"A high-level meeting in La Paz, Bolivia brought together senior government officials and international partners to address a key driver of environmental crime: corruption. The event was one of the first public activities under the Basel Institute on Governance’s new UK-funded programme, _“Building a global network to prevent biodiversity-related corruption.”_\n\nParticipating authorities signed a joint declaration to strengthen integrity and prevent “green corruption” in the management of natural resources. \n\nThis is an important step. Strong political will is essential to tackle corruption risks that undermine conservation. The declaration shows a clear commitment by government partners to take action.\n\nThe event in March 2026 was jointly organised by the Basel Institute’s [Green Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption) team in Latin America, Bolivia’s Vice Ministry of Transparency, Legal Certainty and Human Rights, and the Forest and Land Authority (ABT).\n\nSessions combined international perspectives – including from Peru’s Secretariat for Public Integrity and Basel Institute experts – with practical group work. Participants analysed real corruption risks affecting environmental governance and explored concrete prevention measures. \n\nThe event built on previous programmes in Bolivia and the region, particularly in the forestry sector, where partners have already made important progress in strengthening integrity systems.\n\n### A major driver of biodiversity loss? Corruption\n\nCorruption is a major enabler of environmental crime and illegal wildlife trade. It weakens law enforcement, undermines regulations and reduces the impact of conservation efforts. \n\nYet most responses still focus on enforcement alone. Preventing corruption risks in the first place remains largely overlooked.\n\n### Prevention, not just enforcement\n\nThis is what the Basel Institute’s new programme aims to change. Running until the end of 2028, the programme supports government partners in Bolivia, Indonesia, Madagascar and Malawi. It is funded by the [Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund](https:\u002F\u002Fiwt.challengefund.org.uk\u002F) of the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.\n\nInstead of focusing only on catching crimes, it focuses on stopping them from happening. \n\nA particular focus is on strengthening everyday administrative systems. This is where corruption most often undermines conservation outcomes. The programme will help partner agencies to identify where corruption occurs in processes such as licensing, inspections and resource management.\n\nOur teams will then help partners to design and implement practical measures to reduce those risks. It is in this patient, detailed work with frontline officials that the real impact actually happens.\n\n### A safe space for governments to learn from each other\n\nA key innovation is the creation of a Wildlife Corruption Prevention Support Network.\n\nThis network brings together government practitioners from different countries to openly discuss challenges, share experiences and test ideas. This kind of frank, practical exchange is rare, but essential.\n\nIt allows partners to learn directly from each other, avoid repeating mistakes and move faster.\n\n### Scaling what works globally\n\nThe programme will also develop a global database of tested anti-corruption measures. This will capture practical tools, lessons learned and real-world examples.\n\nTogether, the network and the database will help countries scale what works, rather than starting from scratch.\n\nBy strengthening systems and connecting practitioners, the programme aims to reduce corruption risks at their source. In the long term, this will help protect biodiversity, curb illegal wildlife trade and support more sustainable and equitable use of natural resources.","2026-03-30","authorities-step-up-action-on-green-corruption-in-bolivia-as-new-global-programme-launches-2950","Authorities step up action on “green corruption” in Bolivia as new global programme launches","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fd223ad45-f203-45ff-8f5f-3afe47d88307?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[157],7807,[15],[18,77],[161],{"tags_id":162},{"id":57,"name":58},2950,[15],[18,77],[],[],[],"2026-04-15T22:45:17.000Z","2026-04-15T22:45:18.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fauthorities-step-up-action-on-green-corruption-in-bolivia-as-new-global-programme-launches-2950",{"id":174,"body":175,"status":6,"type":130,"date":176,"slug":177,"title":178,"image":179,"countries":180,"topic":181,"activity":182,"tags":183,"nid":184,"topics":185,"activities":187,"authors":188,"images":190,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":191,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":192,"user_updated":193,"date_updated":194,"content":195,"link":196},10608,"_Criminal assets can cross borders in hours, while international asset recovery often struggles to keep pace. The INTERPOL Silver Notice is designed to close this gap by enabling earlier identification and tracing of criminal assets across jurisdictions. Can this new instrument fundamentally change how law enforcement responds to the rapid flight of illicit wealth?_\n\nCriminal funds can be moved across jurisdictions, layered through shell companies or converted into digital assets in a matter of hours. By contrast, international legal cooperation frequently moves at a far slower pace. The mismatch between the speed of asset flight and the pace of enforcement is one of the central reasons why several international bodies estimate that a very high proportion of [criminal assets](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.interpol.int\u002Fen\u002FNews-and-Events\u002FNews\u002F2025\u002FINTERPOL-publishes-first-Silver-Notice-targeting-criminal-assets#:~:text=Valdecy%20Urquiza%2C%20INTERPOL%20Secretary%20General,of%20criminal%20assets%20remain%20unrecovered.) ultimately remain unrecovered.\n\nINTERPOL’s Silver Notices seek to narrow this gap. They provide law enforcement with an early, structured mechanism to identify and trace assets across borders, strengthening one of the weakest stages of asset recovery: the initial [identification of criminal assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Finterpols-silver-notice-paving-way-improved-asset-recovery). For practitioners dealing with fraud, corruption, money laundering and organised crime, Silver Notices reflect a shift toward treating asset recovery as an enforcement priority rather than merely a consequence of criminal conviction.\n\n### The state of play\n\nINTERPOL launched the Silver Notice as a pilot initiative in January 2025, involving 52 jurisdictions across all regions. [As of November 2025, 133 Silver Notices and 35 Diffusions had been published](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.interpol.int\u002FNews-and-Events\u002FNews\u002F2025\u002FTogether-Against-Crime-INTERPOL-General-Assembly-approves-blueprint-for-future) at the request of 39 countries, linked to suspected financial harm exceeding EUR 30 billion, according to INTERPOL.\n\nSwitzerland does not currently participate in the pilot and therefore does not issue Silver Notices. However, Swiss authorities may still receive Silver Notices and share information through existing police cooperation channels.\n\nIn November 2025, during the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly in Marrakech, delegates approved the extension of the Silver Notice pilot, allowing additional jurisdictions to participate. For practitioners, this expansion matters: broader participation directly increases the likelihood that assets can be identified and preserved before they are moved beyond the reach of enforcement authorities.\n\n### What is the Silver Notice?\n\nINTERPOL Notices enable countries to share critical criminal intelligence and request operational assistance across borders. A Silver Notice is a non-coercive intelligence tool designed to support the identification and tracing of assets linked to serious criminal offences. It does not, by itself, authorise the freezing, seizure or confiscation of assets. Any such measures must be taken in accordance with national law and applicable judicial procedures.\n\nIn practice, Silver Notices may be used to:\n\n*   flag bank accounts, real estate, corporate holdings and digital assets;\n*   identify beneficial owners or persons exercising control over assets;\n*   enable secure and structured intelligence sharing between participating jurisdictions.\n\n### From identification to legal action\n\nOne of the most persistent challenges in cross-border asset recovery lies in the slow and often complex operation of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) mechanisms used to gather evidence or freeze assets. Evidentiary thresholds and procedural requirements vary widely across jurisdictions, and delays in cooperation can allow assets to be dissipated.\n\nWhen a Silver Notice leads to the identification of assets, the jurisdiction in which they are located informs the requesting country and INTERPOL, outlines domestic legal options, and acts within its legal framework. Early bilateral engagement allows investigators and prosecutors to align MLA requests with domestic standards, shortening the transition from intelligence to evidence and from tracing to freezing, helping preserve asset value and improving the prospects of confiscation and victim restitution or compensation.\n\n### Safeguards and limits\n\nBefore any Notice is circulated, it must pass a strict legal compliance review to ensure that it complies with INTERPOL’s Constitution, including the prohibition on matters of a political, military, racial or religious character. These safeguards are essential to maintaining trust between member countries and protecting the system from misuse, particularly in sensitive or high-profile cases.\n\nThe Silver Notice is also deliberately designed to avoid coercive overreach. Key safeguards include:\n\n*   restriction to serious criminal offences;\n*   a requirement for a clear factual link between the assets and suspected criminal conduct;\n*   use within the framework of national legal systems, including judicial or prosecutorial oversight where required.\n\nAt the same time, Silver Notices are not without limitations. For example, in politically sensitive cases, careful scrutiny is required to ensure that asset-tracing requests are not used to advance improper objectives. This makes the robustness and independence of INTERPOL’s compliance review mechanisms particularly important.\n\nUltimately, Silver Notices are not a solution to all asset recovery challenges. Their effectiveness depends on domestic legal framework and the willingness and ability of authorities to act on shared intelligence. They enhance international cooperation, but they do not replace the need for strong national asset recovery regimes or effective MLA processes.\n\n### Closing the enforcement gap\n\nThe speed at which criminal assets move across borders continues to outpace traditional enforcement tools. Silver Notices respond to this challenge by enabling earlier asset tracing and more timely operational engagement between jurisdictions.\n\nMore broadly, Silver Notices reflect an evolving approach to financial crime enforcement that prioritises proactive, intelligence-led intervention over reactive asset recovery at the end of lengthy criminal proceedings. Silver Notices are an enabler, not a shortcut. Used effectively and responsibly, they can strengthen the strategic focus on asset recovery and materially improve the prospects of asset confiscation and victim restitution.\n\n_This blog is also published on the [Hochschule Luzern Economic Crime Blog here](https:\u002F\u002Fhub.hslu.ch\u002Feconomiccrime\u002F?p=6536)._","2026-03-16","interpol-silver-notices-speeding-up-the-tracing-of-criminal-assets-2944","INTERPOL Silver Notices: Speeding up the tracing of criminal assets","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fdaf2f81c-8270-46aa-93a2-3a8a469a7420?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14,137],[19],[],2944,[14,186],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[19],[189],1371,[],[],"2026-04-15T22:45:19.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Finterpol-silver-notices-speeding-up-the-tracing-of-criminal-assets-2944",{"id":198,"body":199,"status":6,"type":130,"date":200,"slug":201,"title":202,"image":203,"countries":204,"topic":205,"activity":206,"tags":207,"nid":216,"topics":217,"activities":218,"authors":219,"images":220,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":221,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":222,"user_updated":193,"date_updated":223,"content":224,"link":225},10602,"_By J. Edward (Ned) Conway, Executive Secretary, The Wolfsberg Group_\n\nAs virtual assets move into the mainstream of traditional finance, tricky questions arise. What does a reasonable, risk-based control framework look like for banks that provide services to virtual asset service providers (VASPs)? And how can compliance teams strengthen private-to-private information sharing to better detect suspicious activity?\n\nThese were some of the questions tackled by the [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002F) at the 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets, organised by the Basel Institute on Governance, Europol and UNODC and held in Vienna on 28–29 October 2025.\n\nThe Wolfsberg Group is an association of 12 global banks that develops frameworks and guidance for the management of financial crime risks. Housed at the Basel Institute on Governance, this long-standing initiative brings together senior financial crime compliance leaders through various working groups, including one dedicated to virtual assets.\n\nThis flagship event provided a valuable platform for the Group to explain its [Stablecoin Guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002Fresources\u002F204\u002F), gauge interest in a specific Due Diligence Questionnaire focused on VASPs, and further advance efforts to break down silos in private-to-private information sharing.\n\nThis blog summarises some of the key discussions – dialogues that are continuing in dedicated meetings and consultations of the Wolfsberg Group with members, regulators and institutional partners.\n\n### Regulatory clarity as a catalyst for TradFi–VASP relationships?\n\nDay 1 of the conference saw Ned Conway, Executive Secretary of the Wolfsberg Group, moderate a high-level panel discussion featuring representatives from Circle, Bullish and Société Générale on the theme _“Bridging the TradFi–DeFi Gap.”_\n\nThe panel discussed the barriers to relationship building between traditional finance (TradFi) institutions such as banks and VASPs such as cryptocurrency exchanges and stablecoin issuers. The speakers noted that a lack of trust and understanding persists, particularly around risks specific to virtual assets.\n\nThat is one reason that TradFi is slow to onboard VASPs as clients and provide them with the banking services they need in order to operate. However, stablecoins are helping bridge this gap by bringing parts of the crypto universe under regulatory frameworks.\n\nTradFi institutions underlined that they would benefit from clearer scenarios from regulators on where collaboration and information sharing would be permissible between regulated entities and VASPs. Recent [guidance issued by regulators on stablecoins and virtual assets in Asia](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hkma.gov.hk\u002Fmedia\u002Feng\u002Fdoc\u002Fkey-functions\u002Fifc\u002Fstablecoin-issuers\u002FGuideline_on_supervision_of_licensed_stablecoin_issuers_eng.pdf), in particular, could help improve confidence both ways in the TradFi-VASP relationship.\n\n### Aligning risk appetite, due diligence and monitoring for suspicious activity\n\nOn Day 2, a dedicated Wolfsberg side event brought together VASPs, FinTech firms and traditional banks for in-depth discussions. Representatives from several Wolfsberg member banks – Deutsche Bank, Citi, UBS, Société Générale, and Bank of America – joined the sessions.\n\nThe agenda focused on frameworks for information sharing, but the discussions touched upon a range of hot topics including:\n\n*   risk appetite and the risk-based approach;\n*   payment transparency (i.e. the [travel rule](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eba.europa.eu\u002Fpublications-and-media\u002Fpress-releases\u002Feba-issues-travel-rule-guidance-tackle-money-laundering-and-terrorist-financing-transfers-funds-and)); and\n*   approaches to monitoring for suspicious activity.\n\nDuring the discussions, participants highlighted that one of the main barriers to effective collaboration between traditional financial institutions and VASPs is a lack of mutual trust. Both sectors face difficulties in interacting with each other.\n\nThe [Wolfsberg Correspondent Banking Due Diligence Questionnaire](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002Fresources?type=cbddq-fccq&category=questionnaires) (CBDDQ) is useful for setting standards, but onboarding challenges could be overcome by framing risk in common language. Many viewed the current onboarding approaches as fragmented, and expressed strong support for the Wolfsberg Group to develop standardised guidance and a due diligence questionnaire for VASPs.\n\nQuestions remain about what is “reasonable” and “risk-based” for VASPs, especially for smaller institutions, and whether banks should monitor blockchain transactions themselves. VASPs need to be able to articulate their risk appetite, and how this changes as they continue to develop innovative products and services.\n\nVASP participants viewed the Wolfsberg Group’s [Stablecoin Guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002Fresources\u002F204\u002F) as applicable beyond stablecoin issuers to the wider VASP ecosystem. This is particularly true for the tailored questions on the underlying control environment, and the linking of risk appetite directly to monitoring approaches.\n\n### Improving private-private information sharing on suspicious activity\n\nDiscussion on information sharing between TradFi and VASPs highlighted that this can rely heavily on personal relationships across entities, limiting scalability.\n\nVASPs showed concern around sharing wallet addresses under private-to-private information sharing frameworks, given geopolitical trends and concerns around the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, consensus emerged that better data sharing both increases the quality of suspicious activity reports (SARs) and reduces SAR volumes.\n\nParticularly on this latter point, activities often thought to be suspicious in a silo are better understood when viewed from multiple perspectives, confirming the importance of information exchange.\n\n### Continuing to build bridges as the financial system evolves\n\nBridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi remains a central theme in the Wolfsberg Group’s strategy. The Vienna events offered a unique opportunity to engage key stakeholders across the sector and advance this important dialogue.\n\nThe side event was opened by Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director of the Basel Institute on Governance. The Wolfsberg Group extends its sincere thanks to the Basel Institute for the opportunity to co-host this side event and to participate in the 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Learn more about the [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002F) and explores its guidance and [resources](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002Fresources) on managing financial crime risk, including its [Stablecoin Guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002Fresources\u002F204\u002F).\n*   Learn more about the [9th Global Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fglobal-experts-advance-joint-fight-against-crypto-enabled-crime) and see selected recordings.\n*   Find out about the [10th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002F10crc) on 15–16 September 2026 in Luxembourg.","2026-02-11","advancing-trust-and-standards-between-banks-and-virtual-asset-service-providers-lessons-from-wolfsberg-group-events-at-the-9th-global-conference-2929","Advancing trust and standards between banks and virtual asset service providers – lessons from Wolfsberg Group events at the 9th Global Conference","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc0f797c0-3af2-47b9-92aa-20efc3f95cce?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14,137],[18],[208,212],{"tags_id":209},{"id":210,"name":211},854,"Virtual assets",{"tags_id":213},{"id":214,"name":215},818,"Anti-money laundering",2929,[14,186],[18],[],[],[],"2026-02-27T15:07:18.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:39.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fadvancing-trust-and-standards-between-banks-and-virtual-asset-service-providers-lessons-from-wolfsberg-group-events-at-the-9th-global-conference-2929",{"id":227,"body":228,"status":6,"type":10,"date":229,"slug":230,"title":231,"image":232,"countries":233,"topic":235,"activity":236,"tags":237,"nid":238,"topics":239,"activities":240,"authors":241,"images":242,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":243,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":244,"user_updated":193,"date_updated":223,"content":245,"link":246},10603,"The fight against criminal misuse of cryptoassets enters its next chapter.\n\nJoin us on 15–16 September 2026 for the 10th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets – held this year in Luxembourg at the European Convention Centre and online.\n\nThis landmark edition will be hosted by Luxembourg’s [Bureau de gestion des avoirs](https:\u002F\u002Fbga.gouvernement.lu\u002Ffr.html) (BGA), alongside the Basel Institute on Governance, Europol and UNODC as co-organisers.\n\nRenowned as a leading global forum, the conference brings together practitioners from across sectors and regions to tackle the evolving threats posed by criminal exploitation of cryptoassets and related services.\n\nExpect cutting-edge insights, candid exchanges and practical solutions aimed at safeguarding individuals, businesses and the integrity of financial systems worldwide.\n\n*   Day 1 – 15 September: Open to experts from all sectors, with a strong focus on public–private collaboration, emerging risks and real-world practice.\n*   Day 2 – 16 September: Reserved for public authorities, including law enforcement, prosecutors, financial intelligence units, asset management offices and regulators, with in-depth case studies and operational insights.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   See more information on the official [10th Global Conference event page](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002F10crc).\n*   Sign up to the [conference mailing list](http:\u002F\u002Feepurl.com\u002FiCwSMo) to be notified when registration opens.\n*   If you would like to submit a proposal to present, moderate a panel discussion or lead a breakout session, [please use this form](https:\u002F\u002Fforms.gle\u002FvXZjotdYgxbk1oRT6).","2026-02-10","save-the-date-10th-global-conference-on-criminal-finances-and-cryptoassets-2932","Save the date: 10th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F7048f59e-5619-4a67-a552-67d57cbf2cb5?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[234],7805,[14,137],[18,77],[],2932,[14,186],[18,77],[],[],[],"2026-02-27T15:07:20.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsave-the-date-10th-global-conference-on-criminal-finances-and-cryptoassets-2932",{"id":248,"body":249,"status":6,"type":10,"date":250,"slug":251,"title":252,"image":253,"countries":254,"topic":255,"activity":256,"tags":258,"nid":259,"topics":260,"activities":261,"authors":262,"images":263,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":264,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":265,"user_updated":24,"date_updated":24,"content":266,"link":267},10594,"On 23 November 2025, 222 professionals from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia successfully completed the second edition of the virtual course “Corruption risk management in the timber value chain”. The initiative, led by the Basel Institute on Governance’s [Green Corruption Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption), aims to strengthen integrity in the forestry sector and reduce the incidence of environmental crime.\n\n### Eight weeks of applied learning\n\nHeld between 26 September and 23 November, the course combined video lectures, readings, assessments, practical exercises and live sessions. This highly interactive methodology enabled participants to apply the concepts to real institutional contexts, fostering deep, action-oriented learning.\n\nOrganised into three modules and six learning units, the programme offered a comprehensive understanding of how to identify, formulate and manage corruption risks with an environmental perspective, from the forest to the final consumer.\n\nOne participant highlighted this shift in perspective:\n\n> “The greatest learning (…) was understanding that corruption risk is not an isolated issue, but a connecting thread that runs throughout the entire value chain from the forest to the final consumer. Rather than simply identifying corrupt acts, what matters is mapping the pressure points at each stage where corruption facilitates, in this case, illegal logging, document fraud or money laundering. This shifts the approach from passive monitoring to active and preventive management.” José Luis Vásquez Vegas, Coordinator, Directorate of Environmental Quality and Eco-Efficiency – Ministry of Environment of Peru\n\n### Real cases, real solutions\n\nA key milestone of the course was the practical workshop in which more than 40 groups developed corruption risk management plans based on real processes from their own institutions. This exercise encouraged critical analysis and innovation, strengthening skills that can be directly applied in daily work.\n\nThe diversity of the cohort – public officials, environmental specialists, researchers, students and representatives of indigenous communities – enriched the exchange of experiences and reinforced a shared regional message: addressing corruption in the forestry sector requires multisectoral collaboration and sustained commitment.\n\nAnother participant from Bolivia emphasised the value of a structured approach:\n\n> “The greatest learning from the course was understanding the importance of identifying, analysing and formulating corruption risks in a structured way, as well as determining their scope. I also found the course methodology very interesting – I liked it a lot – because it was clear and dynamic. It is important to highlight that the fight against corruption is a daily task; it is a commitment and a collective effort that we must all undertake together.” Nadir Camacho Llanos, Professional Auditor, Vice-Ministry of Institutional Transparency and the Fight Against Corruption, Bolivia\n\nAnd from Ecuador:\n\n> “It was very gratifying to receive guidelines, tips and methodologies that help us identify the corruption risks present in the activities we carry out as the National Environmental Authority.” Pablo Toledo Castelo, Specialist in Forest Administration and Control I, Ministry of Environment and Energy of Ecuador\n\n### A region exposed to corruption risks in the forestry sector\n\nCorruption in the timber trade is a significant economic and environmental threat, and countries with extensive forest resources tend to be particularly vulnerable.\n\nThis is the case in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, where our Green Corruption Programme works closely with forestry authorities and environmental agencies to assess and mitigate corruption risks, strengthen internal controls and apply approaches that help “follow the money” behind environmental crimes.\n\nThe virtual course was designed to expand these efforts by fostering peer learning and experience sharing among professionals from the three countries.\n\nThe energy and dedication of the 222 graduates reflect a growing commitment to strengthening forest governance with transparency, sustainability and responsibility.\n\nThe course was developed by the Latin America–based Green Corruption team of the Basel Institute on Governance and funded by the Americas Security Programme of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Integrated Security Fund (ISF).\n\n### More information\n\n*   Spanish news article:\n*   Course testimonials video:\n*   Course recap video:","2025-12-15","regional-success-over-200-professionals-complete-course-on-corruption-in-the-timber-value-chain-2903","Regional success: Over 200 professionals complete course on corruption in the timber value chain","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F5d603ea2-5471-4536-bf35-79f7918a3de3?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[15],[257],"Courses",[],2903,[15],[257],[],[],[],"2025-12-16T17:01:51.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fregional-success-over-200-professionals-complete-course-on-corruption-in-the-timber-value-chain-2903",{"id":269,"body":270,"status":6,"type":10,"date":250,"slug":271,"title":272,"image":273,"countries":274,"topic":275,"activity":276,"tags":277,"nid":278,"topics":279,"activities":280,"authors":281,"images":282,"websites":24,"area":24,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":283,"translation_of":24,"user_created":43,"date_created":284,"user_updated":24,"date_updated":24,"content":285,"link":286},10595,"El 23 de noviembre de 2025, 222 profesionales de Perú, Ecuador y Bolivia finalizaron con éxito la segunda edición del Curso–Taller virtual \"Gestión de riesgos de corrupción en la cadena de valor de la madera\", una iniciativa del [Programa Corrupción Verde](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption) del Basel Institute on Governance que busca fortalecer la integridad en el sector forestal y reducir la incidencia de delitos ambientales.\n\n### Ocho semanas de aprendizaje aplicado\n\nRealizado entre el 26 de septiembre y el 23 de noviembre, el curso combinó videoclases, lecturas, evaluaciones, ejercicios prácticos y sesiones en vivo. Esta metodología altamente interactiva permitió que los participantes aplicaran los conceptos en contextos reales, generando un aprendizaje profundo y orientado a la acción.\n\nOrganizado en tres módulos y seis unidades de aprendizaje, el programa ofreció una comprensión integral de cómo identificar, formular y gestionar riesgos de corrupción con perspectiva ambiental, desde el bosque hasta el consumidor final.\n\nUno de los testimonios destaca este cambio de mirada:\n\n> \"el mayor aprendizaje del curso (…) fue comprender que el riesgo de la corrupción no es solo un problema aislado, sino un hilo conductor que puede comprender toda la cadena de valor desde el bosque hasta el consumidor final. Más que identificar actos de corrupción, lo crucial es mapear los puntos de presión en cada eslabón donde la corrupción facilita, en este caso, la tala ilegal, el fraude de los documentos o el lavado del dinero. Esto cambia el enfoque de una vigilancia pasiva a una gestión activa y preventiva.\" José Luis Vásquez Vegas, Coordinador de la Dirección de Calidad Ambiental y Ecoeficiencia, Ministerio del Ambiente de Perú\n\n### Casos reales, soluciones reales\n\nUn hito clave del curso fue el taller práctico en el que más de 40 grupos desarrollaron planes de gestión de riesgos basados en procesos reales de sus propias instituciones. Este ejercicio fomentó el análisis crítico y la innovación, fortaleciendo capacidades directamente aplicables al trabajo diario.\n\nLa diversidad del grupo, que reunió a funcionarios públicos, especialistas ambientales, investigadores, estudiantes y representantes de pueblos indígenas, enriqueció el intercambio de experiencias y reforzó una visión regional compartida: la lucha contra la corrupción forestal requiere colaboración multisectorial y compromiso sostenido.\n\nDesde Bolivia, otro participante enfatizó el impacto del enfoque estructurado:\n\n> \"El mayor aprendizaje del curso fue la importancia de identificar, comprender y formular los riesgos de corrupción de manera estructurada, así como su ámbito de aplicación. Por otra parte, respecto de la metodología del curso, me pareció muy interesante, me gustó mucho, ya que fue muy clara y dinámica. Es importante resaltar que la lucha contra la corrupción es un trabajo que se debe realizar día tras día, es un compromiso, es una colaboración que debemos realizarlo entre todos.\" Nadir Camacho Llanos, Profesional auditor del Viceministerio de Transparencia Institucional y Lucha Contra la Corrupción de Bolivia\n\nY desde Ecuador:\n\n> \"Es muy gratificante para mí haber recibido pautas, tips y metodologías con las cuales podamos identificar los riesgos de corrupción que se presentan en las actividades que desarrollamos como Autoridad Ambiental Nacional.\" Pablo Toledo Castelo, Especialista en Administración y Control Forestal 1 de la Dirección de Bosques del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Ecuador\n\n### Una región expuesta a los riesgos de corrupción forestal\n\nLa corrupción en el comercio de la madera es una amenaza económica y ambiental significativa, y los países con gran riqueza forestal suelen estar especialmente expuestos.\n\nEste es el caso de Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú, donde nuestro Programa Corrupción Verde trabaja junto a autoridades forestales y agencias ambientales para evaluar y mitigar riesgos de corrupción, fortalecer controles internos y aplicar enfoques que permiten “seguir el dinero” detrás de los delitos ambientales.\n\nEl curso virtual se diseñó para ampliar estos esfuerzos, promoviendo el aprendizaje entre pares y el intercambio de experiencias entre profesionales de los tres países.\n\nLa energía y dedicación de los 222 graduados reflejan un compromiso creciente por fortalecer la gestión forestal con transparencia, sostenibilidad y responsabilidad.\n\nEl curso fue desarrollado por el equipo del Programa Corrupción Verde del Basel Institute on Governance en América Latina y financiado por el Programa de Seguridad de las Américas del Fondo de Seguridad Integrada (ISF) del FCDO del Reino Unido.","exito-regional-mas-de-200-profesionales-completan-curso-sobre-corrupcion-en-la-cadena-de-la-madera-2902","Éxito regional: más de 200 profesionales completan curso sobre corrupción en la cadena de la madera","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F6c729718-61a5-4f9f-90f9-cbd615a7f1fd?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[15],[257],[],2902,[15],[257],[],[],[],"2025-12-16T17:01:52.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fexito-regional-mas-de-200-profesionales-completan-curso-sobre-corrupcion-en-la-cadena-de-la-madera-2902",{"id":288,"body":289,"status":6,"type":130,"date":290,"slug":291,"title":292,"image":293,"countries":294,"topic":24,"activity":24,"tags":295,"nid":24,"topics":296,"activities":297,"authors":299,"images":300,"websites":301,"area":302,"programme":24,"language":90,"translations":304,"translation_of":24,"user_created":305,"date_created":306,"user_updated":24,"date_updated":24,"content":307,"link":308},10592,"\u003Cp>In a world that feels increasingly unsettled, with rising concerns over corruption, organised crime and illicit finance, it is encouraging to see that the Basel AML Index does not show global money laundering risks getting worse. The average score across all jurisdictions has even improved slightly – and in today’s climate even a modest hint of progress is worth noting. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Still, we all know that global averages are hardly meaningful. What matters is what people experience in their own countries and regions, where threats like corruption, fraud, environmental crime and drug trafficking continue to evolve fast and affect their everyday lives. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>I have spent more than two decades working to strengthen governance and the rule of law around the world, and I have seen firsthand the power of data and evidence to drive change. With respect to complex topics such as corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes, this is no simple task. They are difficult to define, to quantify and to track over time. But unless we make a sincere effort to assess the risks, and acknowledge where the gaps and uncertainties lie, policymakers and practitioners are left working in the dark. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>This is the purpose of the Basel AML Index. It is not a simple score to be copy-pasted into a risk assessment or put out in a press release. It is a tool to explore what lies behind a jurisdiction’s risk profile. Many users rely on the headline Public Edition score, but there is much to be gained by looking deeper. The Expert Edition, free for the public sector, non-profits, academia and the media, and reasonably priced for private firms, gives an overview of all 17 indicators and supports more informed decisions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Look behind the curtain and you will see that the Basel AML Index recognises that tackling money laundering is not only about laws, regulations and enforcement. It also depends on independent political and legal systems, a free and active media and real accountability in the public sector. These elements are essential to a jurisdiction’s resilience to financial crime, so the Basel AML Index incorporates measures of these as well as other factors more commonly associated with financial crime. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Measurement alone, however, is not enough; it is just the starting point for progress. That is why the Basel Institute works directly with partner countries to help them understand their risks and strengthen their resilience to money laundering and related financial crimes. We often undertake this work in the context of preparations for Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations or ongoing efforts to leave the FATF grey list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Last month we welcomed Mozambique’s exit from the grey list after intensive work by our team and other partners to support improvements in the country’s anti-money laundering framework and asset recovery capacity. Similar assistance is underway with other partner countries, and we continue to engage with FATF-style regional bodies such as GAFILAT and ESAAMLG as an active observer member. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>If we can say one thing for sure about the future, it is that financial crime will continue to evolve at speed. But I remain hopeful, because progress in tackling it is possible when decisions are rooted in solid evidence. By shedding light on the underlying factors driving money laundering risks at the jurisdiction level, the Basel AML Index aims to help focus attention and resources where they matter most. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002F\">Explore the Basel AML Index\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fbasel-aml-index-2025\">download this year's report\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2025-12-11","elizabeth-andersen-foreword-to-the-basel-aml-index-report","Elizabeth Andersen: Foreword to the Basel AML Index report","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fed3f18dd-4ed7-474a-911d-3048d406faf7?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[],[14],[298],"Basel AML Index",[],[],[298],[303],"Asset Recovery & Enforcement",[],"545a204d-e41b-4882-afda-481ecf3fd971","2025-12-11T09:55:09.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Felizabeth-andersen-foreword-to-the-basel-aml-index-report",{"left":310,"top":310,"width":311,"height":311,"rotate":310,"vFlip":312,"hFlip":312,"body":313},0,20,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 10a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H5.612l4.158 3.96a.75.75 0 1 1-1.04 1.08l-5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.08l5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 1 1 1.04 1.08L5.612 9.25H16.25A.75.75 0 0 1 17 10\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\u002F>",1780676370879]