CIIPA, CILPA and the LSSA host first-of-its-kind international workshop to strengthen global fight against money laundering

The Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants (CIIPA), the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association (CILPA) and the Legal Services Supervisory Authority (LSSA) recently hosted a first-of-its-kind international anti-money laundering (AML) capacity building workshop, bringing together regional leaders from the accountancy and legal professions to strengthen collaboration in the fight against financial crime. The three-day event — held 28–30 Oct. at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort — is the first of an intended global series of regional AML workshops developed by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the International Bar Association (IBA). Supported by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) - the FATF regional-style body, the initiative brought together more than 70 delegates from 21 jurisdictions across the Caribbean and beyond. “Hosting this inaugural workshop in Cayman underscores our jurisdiction’s reputation as a proactive and collaborative partner in global AML/CFT efforts,” said CIIPA Chief Executive Officer Sheree Ebanks. “This initiative not only strengthens the role of professional bodies like CIIPA in promoting effective supervision and education, but also reinforces our shared commitment to integrity, transparency and the public interest.” Hosted jointly by CIIPA, CILPA and the LSSA, with sponsorship from the Cayman Islands Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce, the event marks a milestone in global AML cooperation — and highlights the Cayman Islands’ leadership in promoting high professional standards and international compliance. The workshop featured a mix of panel discussions, lectures and breakout sessions, focused on enhancing professional bodies’ ability to educate members on AML requirements and expectations, empowering associations to partner more effectively with government agencies and financial intelligence units, and supporting professional bodies as they undertake or prepare for AML supervisory responsibilities. “This workshop provided an invaluable opportunity to share Cayman’s experiences and learn from our regional counterparts,” said Alfred Tweneboah, CIIPA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy. “As a self-regulatory body with AML supervisory responsibilities, CIIPA is deeply committed to strengthening compliance frameworks and fostering cooperation across jurisdictions. Events like this help ensure we continue to align with international best practices while building collective capacity to detect and deter financial crime.” The event follows CIIPA’s active participation in regional and global AML events and dialogues, furthering its mission to protect the public interest by ensuring the accounting profession upholds the highest standards of ethics, compliance and professional conduct.