The economic diplomacy event entitled "Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Education - Italy and Romania: Experiences and Best Practices in line with OECD Standards" was held on 10 October 2024, at the headquarters of the National Bank of Romania. It brought together in Bucharest senior financial sector officials and experts from Italy, Romania, Moldova and international organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission.
The initiative, organised by the Italian Embassy in Bucharest in collaboration with the National Bank of Romania, was part of the strategic partnership between Romania and Italy. It represented an important opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices on two transversal topics: the fight against money laundering and financial education, which are also relevant in view of Romania's accession to the OECD, a strategic priority for the Romanian government's foreign policy.
The work was opened by the Italian Ambassador to Romania, Alfredo Durante Mangoni, who highlighted the importance of this economic diplomacy event for Romania's OECD accession path, emphasising how the strengthening of anti-money laundering measures and financial education are crucial for the development of sound public policies and the proper functioning of the markets. He recalled Italy's consolidated experience in the fight against organised and economic crime, which is based on tools such as preventing corruption and combating money laundering, which are recognised globally. The ambassador also reiterated the importance of interinstitutional cooperation and adherence to international standards, such as those set by the OECD, to build a safer and more responsible future. Finally, he linked the conference to the strategic objective of Romania's entry into the Eurozone, emphasising that the strengthening of anti-money laundering measures and financial education are also crucial in view of this objective.
For his part, the deputy governor of the National Bank of Romania, Leonardo Badea, emphasised the strength of European anti-money laundering regulations, stating that the European Union has strict laws against money laundering, which impose high vigilance not only on banks and companies, but also on individuals. Badea emphasised the importance of inter-institutional collaboration also at the European level to maintain a transparent and safe financial system, which is crucial for Romania's economic future, especially in the context of OECD membership.
Carmine Di Noia, Director for Financial and Corporate Affairs at the OECD, gave the keynote speech, outlining the central role of Romania's alignment with OECD standards in the accession process, with a focus on three main pillars: anti-corruption, financial education and corporate governance.
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