As part of strengthening professional capacities and enhancing interinstitutional cooperation in the fight against terrorist financing and organized crime, representatives of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) participated in a training organized by UNODC. The training was conducted with the contribution and support of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, through the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), on the topic: “Emerging trends in terrorist financing, including crypto-assets, links to transnational organized crime, and the abuse of NGOs,” held on March 2–4. This activity was also carried out as part of the Integrated Training Plan, aiming to further strengthen institutional knowledge and capacities in addressing challenges related to terrorist financing (TF). Representatives from SPAK, the General Directorate of Taxes, the General Directorate of State Police, the Counter-Terrorism Directorate, and the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Tirana also participated in the activity, reflecting the importance of a coordinated interinstitutional approach.

During the training, the following topics were addressed:

• Terrorist financing at the global, regional, and national levels;

• The use of cryptocurrencies for fundraising and transferring funds;

• Risks and potential abuse within the NGO/NPO sector;

• Typologies and risk indicators for Albania’s National Risk Assessment;

• Strengthening interinstitutional and international cooperation.

This activity represents an important step in strengthening knowledge to address the continuously evolving challenges related to terrorist financing.