The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will organise the 19th plenary meeting of its technical commission from 7 to 10 May 2013 in Accra, Ghana.

The GIABA plenary meetings are platforms for member states to share experiences and discuss relevant issues that require a concerted, collective and harmonised approach in the implementation of robust anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in the region.

At the May plenary, the draft Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) of the Republic of São Tomé and Principe (STP) will be discussed with a view to its adoption. The adoption of the MER of STP will bring to a close the GIABA first round of mutual evaluations of its 16-member-states (15 ECOWAS countries + STP) which commenced in 2006.

Also, the follow-up reports of nine member states based on the secretariat analyses will be discussed with emphasis on the extent of implementation of the recommendations in their MER.

In effect, the 19th plenary meeting of the commission will review the recommendations made by the Working Group on Mutual Evaluation and Implementation (WGMEI) that will discuss the follow-up reports of Benin, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo that are on the expedited regular follow-up process and those of Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, which are placed on the enhanced follow-up programme.

In line with the GIABA Mutual Evaluation Processes and Procedures, the follow-up process is designed to assist member states to step up measures to address the identified deficiencies contained in their MERs. It also ensures that effective AML/CFT measures are put in place in compliance with acceptable international standards.

Other key items on the Agenda of the Plenary include, the consideration of GIABA's 2012 Monitoring and Evaluation Report, the review of country summary reports and the typology project on terrorism and financing of terrorism in West Africa, round-table with development partners as well as issues and proposals emanating from the 18th Plenary Meeting of GIABA's Technical Commission. In line with tradition, the Director General of GIABA, Dr Abdullahi Shehu, will present his half-yearly Progress Report.

The opening ceremony of the 19th plenary scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 9.00am is expected to be attended by representatives of Ghanaian authorities; GIABA's line ministers, development partners, representatives of member states and other stakeholders.