Our summary
This Central Bank of the UAE page explains what licensed financial institutions must do to apply targeted financial sanctions (TFS) against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The duties come from Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2020, the TFS guidance of the Executive Office for Control & Non-Proliferation (EOCN), and the CBUAE’s own TFS guidance.
The page sets out four steps: (1) stay aware of the UN Consolidated List and the UAE Local Terrorist List, and register with the Executive Office to receive automatic updates; (2) screen customers and transactions against these lists; (3) freeze funds or suspend transactions immediately and without prior notice when there is a confirmed or potential match; and (4) report the match and the action taken on the goAML platform within five business days, using a Fund Freeze Report or a Partial Name Match Report. It also links to the EOCN guidance, the CBUAE guidance on transaction monitoring and sanctions screening, and an EOCN paper on how sanctions are evaded. The EOCN updated its TFS guidance in 2025, so check the EOCN website for the latest version.
How auditors use it: Use the four steps as a test plan for a sanctions audit in any UAE entity. Check registration with the Executive Office, screening frequency and list updates, how quickly funds are frozen, and whether goAML reports were filed within five business days.