The Russian Federation Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin participated in a significant seminar focused on "Countering the Misuse of Virtual Assets for Terrorism Financing."
The event, organized by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Secretariat of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group, the UN Office on Counter Terrorism, and the Financial Intelligence Service of Ethiopia, aimed to address the growing concern over the misuse of digital assets in funding terrorist activities.
During his address, Ambassador Terekhin emphasized Russia's pivotal role in initiating and promoting this critical global initiative.
He stated, “Russia strongly supports a comprehensive and universal approach to countering terrorism and its financing.” Terekhin highlighted the importance of a strategy that respects national sovereignty, adheres to international law, and aligns with the principles outlined in the UN Charter.
The seminar attracted a diverse group of participants, including government officials, financial experts, and representatives from various international organizations.
Terekhin expressed optimism that the discussions held during the event would foster interregional collaboration.
“This seminar serves as a model for cooperation among nations. We must ensure that technological advancements do not become tools of destruction but pathways to peace and prosperity,” he said.
According to the Ambassador, as digital currencies gain popularity worldwide, concerns about their potential use in illicit activities have surged.
The seminar aimed to equip attendees with knowledge and strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.
Terekhin urged participants to work together in developing robust frameworks that can prevent the exploitation of virtual assets by terrorist organizations.
The collaborative effort between Russia and Ethiopia underscores a shared commitment to enhancing global security and combating the financing of terrorism. The Ambassador accentuated that as nations increasingly recognize the need for cooperative approaches to tackle complex challenges, initiatives like this seminar play a crucial role in fostering dialogue and creating actionable solutions.