A delegation from Gibraltar attended a meeting with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to discuss sanctions-related matters alongside representatives from other Overseas Territories.

The Gibraltar delegation included the Director of the Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit, Charles Avellano from the Ministry of Justice, and Technical Expert Justin Montovio from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the implementation of international sanctions regimes, addressing effectiveness in the relevant FATF standards, challenges faced by smaller jurisdictions, and ways to strengthen cooperation and capacity building across the Overseas Territories.

The delegation provided a detailed overview of Gibraltar’s sanctions framework under the Sanctions Act 2019, including how international sanctions obligations are implemented in practice across all relevant authorities. The overview also highlighted the strong inter agency cooperation that underpins Gibraltar’s response to evolving sanctions risks, supporting a consistent and effective approach to the prevention of sanctions evasion and circumvention. The delegation also briefed attendees on recent initiatives undertaken by the Small States and Territories Working Group on Proliferation Financing and Terrorist Financing, which was recently hosted in Gibraltar.

Mr Lopez added: “The convergence between financial crime and sanctions evasion increasingly poses a threat to global security. Strengthening our defences against these threats is essential, and continued cooperation with the UK and our Overseas Territory partners ensures we are aligned in preventing those risks from materialising.”

Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, Nigel Feetham MP KC said: “Our ongoing engagement with the UK FCDO’s Sanctions Directorate and our fellow Overseas Territories reflects Gibraltar’s firm commitment to implementing international sanctions effectively and consistently. Cooperation remains key to ensuring that sanctions serve as credible instruments in protecting global security while ensuring a transparent and resilient domestic framework.”

ENDS