27/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 27/06/2024 18:35
Good morning everyone,
President of the Financial Action Task Force, Mr T Raja Kumar
FATF delegates and observers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to Singapore. For those of you who have not been here before, a doubly warm welcome. For those of you who have been here before, welcome back. We are very happy to have you here. I am delighted to join you today to speak at this meaningful event and to launch the e-book titled "Breaking Barriers: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders".
IMPORTANCE OF GENDER EQUALITY
2. A diverse and inclusive culture that recognises and empowers women is essential to the success of any society. This is especially so for a small country like Singapore where our key resource is our people. Our government therefore did not leave gender equality to chance - we invested considerably in the promotion of women's development and their participation in all sectors of society, where women and girls have the opportunities and resources required to reach their full potential.
3. We have made much progress:
4. But we are not resting on our laurels and we know that we need to continue to break barriers:
5. The recent 'Progress on Singapore Women's Development 2024' report noted good progress across different spheres - including employment, health and protection from violence - even as we acknowledge the need to continue efforts to address gender stereotypes.
6. Women have made substantial contributions to Singapore's nation-building efforts, including in the fight against crime, particularly financial crime and money laundering.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT WOMEN BE PART OF AML/CFT EFFORTS
7. Around the world, women have also played a crucial role, in crime fighting and AML/CFT efforts:
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN FATF INITIATIVE
8. The FATF is at the forefront of our fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Criminals constantly evolve their methods, developing more sophisticated modus operandi. It is thus crucial to harness our collective skills, resources, and knowledge in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
9. Over the years, women have increasingly taken up leadership roles within the FATF. I fully support women holding these positions. An excellent example is the incoming FATF President, Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, who will be the second female to assume this role. Her leadership will undoubtedly inspire many more women to pursue and excel in similar roles at international bodies like the FATF and in their countries.
10. I am heartened that the Singapore Presidency has committed to fostering greater diversity and inclusion. The Women in FATF and Global Network initiative was launched under our Presidency, with various initiatives aimed at empowering and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. This includes the Pilot Mentorship Programme, which seeks to foster the exchange of experiences and perspectives by female leaders in the AML/CFT domain with aspiring mentees. I would like to thank the FATF Secretariat and all member jurisdictions for their strong support which has contributed to the success of this initiative.
11. I would also like to highlight two Singaporean women leaders who have made contributions to the FATF as part of this initiative:
12. As our Presidency term concludes, the e-book titled "Breaking Barriers: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders" marks a milestone in the progress we are making in empowering women in the AML/CFT global community. The e-book features the stories of women leaders who have actively challenged and overcome gender norms and prejudices with grit, courage, and resilience, and went on to make outstanding contributions in the AML/CFT domain. It also includes the voices of men who have been impacted by inspirational women leaders - their support is equally important.
13. One particularly inspiring story is that of Catherine Dion, Luxembourg's Head of Delegation to the FATF. Her story is filled with relatable anecdotes about the prejudices women face in various settings. Catherine's courage in actively challenging these stereotypes and now being in a position of influence - speaking out and making concrete changes to promote women in the workplace, is particularly admirable.
14. I am excited to be part of the discussion panel later during the following segment with some of the women featured in the e-book. Their experiences and insights will undoubtedly provide valuable lessons for all of us.
CONCLUSION
15. In conclusion, I hope that the e-book and other initiatives under the Women in FATF and Global Network will spark further conversations about the positive contributions women can make and the importance of empowering women to take on leadership roles in their respective domains. By doing so, we not only promote an inclusive community but also strengthen our collective ability to address the complex challenges in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
16. I look forward to the incoming Mexican Presidency continuing with this initiative and seeing more women contributing to the important work of FATF. Together, we can create a more inclusive, diverse, and highly effective global effort to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
17. Thank you.
1 Source:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hunting-osama-bin-laden-was-womens-work-flna2d11594091
2 Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/hong-kong-customs-arrests-7-061652196.html