Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh at the signing of the Declaration of the Assets Recovery Interagency Network in Southern Africa (ARINSA)

Your Excellency, the Right Honourable Prime Minister

Cabinet Ministers,

Members of both Houses of Parliament,

National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service,

Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

UNODC Regional Representative,

Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes in Eswatini,

Senior Government officials,

Non-Governmental Organisations,

Members of the ESwatini Anti-Money Laundering Committee,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I join you today at the meeting of the Kingdom of ESwatini Anti-Money Laundering Committee.

Just a few weeks ago we gathered at the launching event of the National Strategy against Human Trafficking, when we discussed, among other issues, the need to strengthen the Government response to victim protection and their rehabilitation. We also discussed issues relating to the possible use of funds recovered from illicit activities for this purpose.

UNODC took a lead in this discussion, and I am delighted to be present today at the first meeting of the national Anti-Money Laundering Committee. I hope the Committee will do its utmost to coordinate and build on the national response to counter crime, corruption and money laundering in Eswatini.

This work is part of our combined efforts to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. Under Goal 16 which is about promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies, we have committed to “significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime by 2030.” This initiative therefore supports Good Governance, Rule of Law and accountability of our national institutions.

We are glad that this work, which is a priority area for cooperation for the UN team in Eswatini, has full engagement of UNODC as a custodian of the UN Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Let me commend in this regard the Government on passing the Proceeds of Crime legislation and the establishment of the Asset Forfeiture Unit. These are important steps in strengthening anti-money laundering mechanism at the national level.

While demonstrating strong commitment to counter illicit financial flows at the national level, I welcome the active role that Eswatini plays in this area at the regional and global levels. I was informed that Eswatini is one of the founding members of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA), which just celebrated 10 years since its establishment.

ARINSA gathers law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners dealing with assets recovery issues. I am pleased and privileged that Eswatini is an active member of this regional cooperation framework. ARINSA is an international "network of networks" which ensures that the proceeds of crime are traced to all corners of the globe making sure that criminals have nowhere to hide and that proceeds from crime can be recovered.

Let me welcome in this regard the signature of ARINSA Declaration by the Kingdom of Eswatini, which demonstrates continued commitment of the Government to the course of international cooperation against illicit financial flows.

I hope the event of today will lay the basis for many new initiatives aimed at supporting stronger and accountable Government, reinvesting into Law enforcement and justice sectors, as well as generating much needed resources to address the needs of victims of violence and those who are currently left behind.

I thank you.