UAE, UK Strengthen Partnership Against Illicit Finance

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK) have always shared a close and strategic relationship. On 2 and 3 September 2025, both nations came together in London to hold important meetings. The focus of these talks was on one of the most serious challenges facing the world today—illicit finance. This refers to money gained through illegal activities such as money laundering, fraud, organised crime, and the financing of terrorism.

The 2-day discussions showed how deeply both countries value their cooperation. By working together, the UAE and the UK want to safeguard the global financial system and stop dangerous criminal networks that use money for harmful purposes.

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Leaders and Officials Driving the Talks

The UAE delegation was led by Hamid AlZaabi, who is the Secretary-General and Vice Chair of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC). On the UK side, the delegation was welcomed by Dan Jarvis MP, the UK’s Minister of State for Security.

But these meetings were not just about two people. Senior officials from many important departments on both sides took part. From the UK, representatives came from:

• His Majesty’s Treasury

• The Home Office

• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

• Crown Prosecution Service

• His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

• The National Economic Crime Centre

• The UK Gambling Commission

From the UAE, senior officials attended from:

• The Ministry of Economy

• The Ministry of Interior

• The Ministry of Justice

• UAE Customs

• UAE Financial Intelligence Units

This broad participation showed the seriousness of the issue and the commitment from both governments to deal with it in every possible way.

Why These Meetings Matter

Illicit finance is not just about money. It is about what that money is used for. Criminal groups often use illegal funds to:

• Run organised crime networks

• Fund terrorism

• Support human trafficking or drug smuggling

• Weaken economies and societies

By disrupting such financial flows, both the UAE and the UK hope to make the world safer, protect their communities, and build stronger economies.

These meetings allowed both countries to:

• Share best practices on regulation and law enforcement

• Improve cooperation between supervisory and judicial bodies

• Build better systems to identify suspicious money flows

• Create a strong defence against financial criminals

Voices from the Leaders

Hamid AlZaabi stressed that crime linked to money is global in nature. He explained, “Financial crime is global in nature, and tackling it requires global solutions. The UAE and the UK are strongly committed to combating illicit finance. This week’s discussions were productive, paving the way for increased operational effectiveness, while also supporting bilateral trade.”

Dan Jarvis MP, speaking for the UK, said, “Our engagement with the UAE marks a significant step in our joint efforts to tackle illicit finance and disrupt the international criminal networks who rely on it. Through cross-border co-operation, together we can safeguard the security of both our nations whilst better protecting communities from the serious harm caused by money laundering and international criminality.”

Their words highlight that this partnership is not only about stopping crime, but also about protecting people, economies, and the trust in the global financial system.

Engagement with the Private Sector

An important part of the visit was a roundtable with private businesses. This meeting was organised by the UK-UAE Business Council and hosted by the UAE Embassy in London. Involving the private sector is very important because banks, companies, and financial organisations are often the first line of defence against suspicious transactions.

By working together with businesses, both governments hope to strengthen systems that can quickly detect and stop financial crime.

Sharing Knowledge on the Global Stage

Before arriving in London, the UAE representatives also took part in the 42nd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime. This is one of the world’s most respected platforms for discussing economic and financial crime.

At this symposium, the UAE delegation explained their country’s recent efforts to fight money laundering and cross-border crime. They also exchanged ideas with experts and policymakers from other nations, further proving that the UAE is serious about being a global partner in this fight.

Wider Impact of the Visit

The outcomes of these meetings will not remain limited to London. They will feed into wider UAE-UK strategic cooperation in the months and years ahead. This includes:

• Stronger judicial cooperation

• Closer law enforcement links

• Exchange of intelligence and financial data

• Training and support for both nations’ institutions

• Promoting transparency in trade and investments

Together, these actions aim to secure the financial systems of both countries and support the stability of the global economy.

A Global Responsibility

The fight against illicit finance is not something one country can handle alone. Criminal groups often operate across borders, moving money from one nation to another within minutes. This makes it necessary for governments to cooperate closely.

The UAE and the UK’s joint efforts reflect a bigger truth: the world must unite against financial crime. When countries share information, cooperate across institutions, and build trust, criminals find it harder to hide.

This visit between the UAE and the UK has set the tone for the future. It has shown that both nations are not only ready to talk but also willing to act. By combining resources, knowledge, and commitment, they can make a real difference in stopping illicit finance.

For students and young readers, it is important to understand that money is not just a tool for buying things. When used wrongly, money can fund dangerous activities that harm people worldwide. But when countries like the UAE and UK stand together, they show that money can instead be used to build safer, stronger, and fairer societies.

The UAE-UK meetings in London in September 2025 were more than just diplomatic events. They were a powerful reminder that cooperation is the only way forward when dealing with global challenges like illicit finance. With senior leaders, law enforcement agencies, private businesses, and international experts involved, the talks laid down a clear message:

Criminals who misuse the financial system will not find it easy to succeed when nations stand united.

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