On 23 July 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that it had conducted a ‘Roundtable on Trade-based Money Laundering’ from 07 to 09 July 2025 in Stirling, United Kingdom (UK). The three-day event was organised as part of Project OCTAGON, a key component of the WCO’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML-CTF) programme, to discuss strategies and build the capacity of members to fight TBML within the Customs arena and create heightened awareness in the national customs about AML-CTF issues. Project OCTAGON is funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
The roundtable on TBML, a one-of-its-kind initiative by the WCO, brought together leading member Customs administrations involved in successfully tackling TBML threats to discuss mechanisms for long-term countermeasures and continue the dialogue initiated by the TBML Summit conducted by HM Revenue & Customs in 2023. The insightful discussions included unique modus operandi, best practices, emerging threats and how to harness technology more efficiently in global law enforcement’s fight against TBML. The roundtable also featured the participation of the private sector and a panel discussion on the role of the private sector in assisting law enforcement in tackling TBML.
It was also attended by key partner international organisations, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and INTERPOL.
The event left all participants highly enriched and in agreement with the increased need for deeper cooperation between not only member Customs administrations but also with partner international organisations and how the global law enforcement can leverage the support of the private sector to tackle TBML.