CEO of the Financial Intelligence National Centre, Shaikha May bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, has concluded her tenure as Vice Chair of the Egmont Group and Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, marking a record of honourable achievements. Her journey of dedication and accomplishment has contributed to the distinguished regional and international status of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Shaikha May expressed her pride in representing the Kingdom of Bahrain in this international role and serving both the Kingdom and the region by upholding the principles of the Egmont Group. She noted that the success of any international collaboration relies on mutual understanding, bridge-building, and the exchange of expertise among all parties that support the institutional strengthening and capacity building of financial intelligence units (FIUs) in the region and contribute to the integrity of the financial and economic system.
She extended her gratitude for the support she received from His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and expressed her appreciation to the Egmont Group, comprising 181 FIUs from around the world, and its member states for the trust and cooperation extended to her throughout her term. She also praised the collective efforts of the organisation and its members in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and in promoting transparency and accountability within a unified global framework.
Shaikha May was the first Arab woman to be elected as Vice Chair of the Egmont Group. During her tenure, several major achievements were marked, most notably the development and adoption of the MENA Regional Strategy (2022–2027). This strategy aimed to support the implementation of the Egmont Group’s strategic goals through four key pillars: enhancing effective information exchange, expanding cooperation with international organisations, providing technical support to members, and deepening understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing methods.
She was also involved strengthened coordination with the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), notably by preparing a guidance paper on the challenges faced by non-member FIUs and establishing a technical support committee to assist them in meeting membership requirements.
Her contributions also included organising numerous regional and international events and initiatives, such as brainstorming sessions on strategic analysis, a virtual roundtable connecting MENA countries, hosting the Egmont Group’s Executive Committee meetings in Manama in 2023, and participating as a keynote speaker at prominent global forums.
Shaikha May’s efforts received widespread recognition from the Group’s partners, who affirmed that her strategic commitment and coordination work have significantly enhanced the region’s presence within the international cooperation framework. Her legacy, they added, will remain a source of inspiration for the next phase of the Egmont Group’s work
