The Government of Seychelles, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has officially launched yesterday, a three-day Workshop on Developing an Asset Forfeiture Strategy at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, Beau Vallon.
The workshop brings together national stakeholders, policymakers, and international experts to strengthen Seychelles’ asset recovery framework and enhance inter-agency coordination.
Building Financial Integrity
The initiative supports Seychelles’ preparations for the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation cycle, which will assess the country’s compliance with global standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
UNODC Regional Project Coordinator, Ms. Lindy Muzila, highlighted the importance of the initiative:
“The asset recovery strategy will provide such support by offering a comprehensive framework to guide legislative reform, institutional coordination, operational procedures, and capacity building.”
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Mr. Adham Z. Loufti, reaffirmed U.S. support:
“The United States Embassy is proud to support this effort and stands with you as you build a more transparent and accountable system for asset recovery.”
Acting Commissioner, Mr. Godfra Hermitte, underscored the workshop’s practical focus:
“This is not merely a discussion forum; it is a working session aimed at producing tangible outputs.”
Looking Ahead
During the workshop participants will engage in technical sessions, case studies, and strategic planning exercises to develop a comprehensive national asset forfeiture strategy. This marks a significant milestone in Seychelles’ broader agenda to safeguard its financial system and uphold international obligations.
