Amira
Ahmad, CAMS
Mrs. Amira Ahmad is CAMS certified and an Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and Sanction professional with over 15+ years of banking experience, having proficiency in risk management, audit processes, and particularly skilled in international regulatory AML/CFT practices.
Mrs. Ahmad is the UAE’s delegation to the FATF. Mrs Ahmad is appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the UAE FATF Expert member on supervision and preventive measures. As part of her delegation role, Mrs Amira has been appointed to represent the UAE in multiple intergovernmental body forums such as the Joint Group discussions, FATF Supervisory Forum in Sanya, China and Virtual Asset Service Providers Supervisors Forum.
Mrs. Ahmad works for the Central Bank of the UAE, where she established and implemented an enhanced supervisory risk assessment methodology in line with the FATF standards. Mrs Ahmad introduced the Risk based thematic reviews on financial institutions and implemented these reviews through the detection of emerging risks in the sector.
Mrs. Ahmad formed the sectoral risk assessment strategy for the financial sector and the Designated Non-financial Business or Profession sector.
Mrs. Ahmad delivered national led projects and delivered key action items on the FATF National Action Plan for the UAE. Mrs. Ahmad has also produced multiple typology reports and guidance papers issued by the Central Bank and the Supervisory Sub-Committee.
Mrs. Ahmad also leads AML/CFT banking and non-banking inspections, providing sound judgement on financial institutions by examining and assessing their AML/CFT programs, including but not limited to internal controls, processes and sanction screening and transaction monitoring systems.
In addition to her role within the Central Bank of the UAE, Mrs. Amira is also the Chairperson for the UAE Supervisory Authorities Sub Committee. She is mainly responsible for suggesting, placing and enhancing laws, regulation, policies and procedures relevant to the supervision of Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions in light of AML/CFT risks, with the coordination of competent authorities. She is oversees the procedural developments and development of supervisory tools that are focused on a risk based approach. She also ensures all supervisors implement a Risk-Based Approach to supervision approach for all supervisors and address tailored risks associated with supervisors.
Prior to the Central Bank of the UAE, Mrs Ahmad worked in global banks such as Citibank and HSBC, in the field of Compliance and Internal Controls, possessing an up to date knowledge of statutory compliance requirements and legal obligations.
Mrs. Ahmad is also certified in Anti-Money Laundering, Regulation, Supervision and Practice by Olivier Wyman, Florence School of Banking and Finance. Mrs. Ahmad has completed her Bachelor Degree of Banking and Finance from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Women’s College, with distinction and has been the UAE’s representative on international leadership forums such as the Mosaic International Leadership Program in London, a leadership program where influence, communication, thinking and acting systemically, self-awareness, resiliency, and learning agility were tested through the accomplishments of various tasks and assignments. The results of the successful assignments were presented to his Royal Highness, Prince Charles.