ABA ROLI’s Regional Training Workshop Strengthens Lawyers' Expertise on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risks

Rosario, September 4-5, 2024 – The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in collaboration with the Rosario Bar Association and the Fundación Consilior, a local non-governmental organization, organized a training workshop to strengthen lawyers' capacity to identify and manage the risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) in their legal practices. The hybrid event, held at the Colegio de Abogados de Rosario, gathered legal professionals from Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Fundación Consilior focuses on researching and disseminating national and international best practices for lawyers focused on the risks of money laundering and terrorism financing. The event was supported by ABA ROLI’s regional program, Countering Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism in South America funded by US Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism.

Spanning two sessions, ABA ROLI International experts; representatives from the Bar Associations of Rosario, Paraguay, and Uruguay; and speakers from the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of the three countries, shared valuable insights. The FIUs involved were the Financial Information Unit (Spanish, Unidad de Información Financiera – UIF) of Argentina; the Secretariat for Prevention of Money or Asset Laundering (Spanish, Secretaría de Prevención de Lavado de Dinero o Bienes – SEPRELAD) of Paraguay; and the National Secretariat for the Fight against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Spanish, Secretaría Nacional para la Lucha contra el Lavado de Activos y el Financiamiento del Terrorismo – SENACLAFT) of Uruguay.

Lisandro Martínez Gorostiaga, President of Fundación Consilior and President of the Institute of Economic Criminal Law of the Rosario Bar Association, underscored Rosario's pivotal role in advancing the conversation on AML compliance:

Since 2011, Rosario has been a platform for discussing responsibilities within the AML system. With key initiatives starting in 2022, such as the conferences on criminal economics organized with the Santa Fe Chamber of Deputies and the creation of the Rosario Professional Council, we continue to lead efforts to strengthen AML practices. These actions reflect our commitment to promoting cross-sector collaboration and enhancing the legal profession’s role in preventing financial crimes.

Speakers included Dr. Jorge César Resegu, Board member of the Rosario Bar Association; Dr. Lisandro Martinez Gorostiaga, President of Fundación Consilior and President of the Institute of Economic Criminal Law of the Rosario Bar Association; Dr. Lucas Galdeano, President of the Rosario Bar Association; Dra. María Carrara, Vice-President of the Institute of Economic Criminal Law of the Rosario Bar Association and member of Fundación Consilior; Juan Lafontana, Deputy Director Central Regional Agency FIU; and Ignacio Yacobucci, President of UIF Argentina.

Discussions centered on the responsibilities placed on lawyers by AML/CFT regulations and the best practices for adhering to international standards, particularly those outlined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Special attention was given to the reporting obligations that legal professionals must meet to detect and prevent illicit activities.

The workshop concluded with an exchange of ideas between participants and experts, fostering a deeper understanding of how to apply AML/CFT measures effectively within the legal sector. Due to the international attendance, this exchange was enriched by different opinions from each country.