The handbook is positioned as a key resource ahead of the 2026 UN Crime Congress in the UAE, where member states will exchange best practices on financial investigations and recommit to targeting criminal proceeds.
Key takeaways from the handbook include:
➡️ Promotion of informal cooperation mechanisms, such as secure communication channels, rapid response systems and joint analysis, to complement slower formal legal processes;
➡️ Inclusion of real-world case studies demonstrating the impact of international collaboration, including multi-country operations that led to asset seizures and convictions;
➡️ Development of three practical guides tailored for financial intelligence units, law enforcement and prosecutors to support more effective use of informal cooperation;
➡️ Emphasis on the need for faster intelligence sharing to keep pace with globalised financial systems and technological advancements; and
➡️ Reinforcement of the message that criminals exploit gaps between national legal systems, and that stronger cooperation is essential to recover illicit assets and bring offenders to justice.
✅ Firms should review the handbook to ensure their operations align with best practices and meet the expectations of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), Law Enforcement Authorities (LEAs), and Prosecutors.