Senior officials from Liberia’s Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) have detailed the objectives and significance of the upcoming 44th Technical Commission Meetings and Plenary of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), scheduled for November 17-21, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel.
The insights were provided by the Deputy Director General Amos Y. Boakai and the Technical Lead for Program and Planning at the FIA, Micheal S. Doe during a recent appearance on the OK FM 99.5 talk show.
In his remarks, DDG Boakai explained that the high-level plenary will convene experts, government officials, and international partners from across West Africa. The primary goal is to reinforce the collective effort against money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
“The 44th Plenary gathering will bring together experts, government officials, and international partners from across West Africa to strengthen the collective fight,” Boakai stated.
He outlined three key objectives for the meetings:
· Reviewing Member States’ Progress: The assembly will assess the anti-money laundering systems of Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Sierra Leone to ensure compliance with international standards.
· Addressing Emerging Threats: Delegates will work on updating regional strategies to combat new and evolving methods criminals and terrorists use to move illicit funds.
· Enhancing Cooperation: The meetings aim to foster stronger partnerships between national Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and other stakeholders to improve information sharing and investigative efforts.
Adding to the significance of the event, FIA Technical Lead Micheal S. Doe announced that the meetings will coincide with GIABA’s 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) on Friday, November 21, 2025.
“This milestone marks a quarter-century of dedicated service by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in building robust defenses against economic and financial crimes that threaten the stability and development of West Africa,” Doe asserted.
The radio talk show, led by journalist Clarence Jackson, provided a platform for the FIA officials to explain the importance of the GIABA meetings and interact directly with listeners from diverse backgrounds.
The GIABA 44th Technical Commission Meetings and Plenary is a critical event for shaping the region’s policies and collaborative efforts in combating financial crimes that undermine economic stability and security.