Circular to Licensed Corporations, SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers and Associated Entities
Anti-Money Laundering / Counter-Financing of Terrorism
(1) United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024
(2) United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024
(1) United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024
The United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024 (the Yemen Amendment Regulation), made under the United Nations Sanctions Ordinance (Cap. 537) (UNSO), was published in the Gazette (L.N. 36 of 2024) on 28 March 2024 with immediate effect.
The Yemen Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2707 in respect of Yemen which include the renewal of the financial sanctions and travel ban.
The Yemen Amendment Regulation can be found on the Government’s website (https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20242813/es22024281336.pdf).
(2) United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024
The United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2024 (the Libya Amendment Regulation), made under the UNSO, was published in the Gazette (L.N. 37 of 2024) on 28 March 2024 with immediate effect.
The Libya Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2664 and 2701 in respect of Libya which include the renewal of sanctions measures in respect of preventing illicit petroleum exports from Libya, and reflect the latest exemption arrangements in respect of arms embargo and asset freeze.
The Libya Amendment Regulation can be found on the Government’s website (https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20242813/es22024281337.pdf).
Licensed corporations, SFC-licensed virtual asset service providers and associated entities are reminded to refer to Chapter 6 of the Guideline on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (For Licensed Corporations and SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers) (AML/CFT Guideline) which contains guidance on the appropriate measures that licensed corporations, SFC-licensed virtual asset service providers and associated entities should take to ensure compliance with the regulations made under the UNSO1.
Should you have any queries regarding the contents of this circular, please contact Ms Kiki Wong at 2231 1569 who will assist in referring your queries to the relevant officer.
Intermediaries Supervision DepartmentIntermediaries DivisionSecurities and Futures Commission
End
SFO/IS/014/2024
1 Under paragraph 6 of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Guideline issued by the Securities and Futures Commission for Associated Entities of Licensed Corporations and SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers, associated entities that are not authorized financial institutions are expected to have regard to the provisions of the AML/CFT Guideline as if they were themselves licensed corporations and/or SFC-licensed virtual asset service providers.
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