Global Economic Sanctions

The Trump 2.0 era is expected to bring major shifts in sanctions and export controls policy. This session explores how new and anticipated policy shifts affect the risk and compliance landscape for financial institutions and exporters in Europe.

Key takeaways during this session will include proactive strategies for multinational companies to navigate the knowns and unknowns of what’s ahead.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, many companies are grappling with the challenge of exiting the Russian market amidst evolving sanctions, along with the possibility of re-entering in the event of major sanctions policy shifts. This session explores the legal and operational complexities of divesting from Russia, offering insights on managing compliance risks while navigating shifting regulatory landscapes. From negotiating exit agreements to dealing with unexpected sanctions changes, this discussion will provide actionable guidance for companies facing similar challenges in high-risk markets. The discussion will also center around the key compliance dilemmas raised by staying in Russia, along with key questions to consider before re-entering Russia and under what circumstances.

• Understanding the key legal and operational hurdles when managing divestment from Russia under current sanctions regimes
• Exploring the intricacies of transaction clauses and compliance obligations specific to Russian exits
• Developing contingency strategies for dealing with sudden, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements

This session dives deep into the intricacies of export control regimes, with a special focus on how the EU and U.S. are striving to align their policies despite significant differences in their approaches. Understanding the commonalities and divergences between jurisdictions is critical for companies navigating the global trade environment.

• Reviewing the latest enforcement trends in export controls and identifying areas where discrepancies between jurisdictions could pose compliance risks
• Exploring ways to foster collaboration between different regulatory bodies to ensure smoother, more effective global compliance
• Discussing sector-specific challenges and practical solutions, particularly in industries that are critical to national security or economic stability
• Maximising internal resources to strengthen both sanctions and export compliance
• Reconciling conflicting requirements toward updating your policies and employee training
• Addressing if and how to secure the requisite licences from sanctions and export controls authorities in the U.S. and Europe

In an era where regulatory environments are becoming more intricate and fast-paced, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool in sanctions compliance. This session explores how AI is revolutionizing the way businesses approach screening, risk assessment, and decision-making processes. Learn about cutting-edge AI solutions that reduce the number of false positives, increase detection rates, and streamline compliance workflows, while also addressing the limitations and risks of “overreliance.”.

• Discovering the opportunities of AI in enhancing sanctions screening and ensuring more efficient decision-making
• Identifying the challenges and risks of overrelianceon AI for compliance, including issues of bias, transparency, and accountability
• Explore how AI can improve payment processing and document screening in high-volume environments
• Determining the extent of AI usage and red flags for a manual review of AI outputs
• Leveraging AI for export compliance: Enhancing sanctions screening, managing dual-use concerns, and navigating U.S., EU, and China challenges
• Understand how AI can streamline export control processes and improve efficiency in compliance operations
• Assess the risks associated with AI integration, including the potential for misalignment with existing export control frameworks

• Strengthening screening and due diligence processes for sourcing and supplying from China
• Examining industry practices to understand how deeply companies are scrutinizing their supply chains when working with Chinese partners and the role of China in their global operations
• Aligning global operations with evolving export control regulations, particularly in hardware, technology, and military sectors
• Navigating U.S.-EU regulatory shifts and preparing for harmonised export controls
• Collaborating with financial institutions to ensure compliance with tightening export control rules
• How geopolitical tensions and Chinese countermeasures affect your risk profile and compliance decision-making

As sanctions regimes grow increasingly complex, enforcement practices remain unpredictable. While the U.S. leads with significant penalties, the EU and UK are adopting varied approaches. This session examines the shifting landscape of sanctions enforcement and the extraterritorial application of EU and U.S. sanctions.

Join a panel of industry experts and legal professionals to explore:

• Emerging trends in multi-jurisdictional enforcement and how to position your programme to weather escalating risks
• Assessing the scope of extraterritorial reach of sanctions and the impact on your global businesses, subsidiaries, and trade finance
• Practical strategies for conducting due diligence on cross-border transactions
• Real-world examples and lessons learned to enhance readiness and response plans in the face of rapid changes

Sanctions circumvention remains a significant challenge for businesses, with increasingly sophisticated methods being used to bypass restrictions. This session will explore the latest trends and techniques in sanctions circumvention, examining how criminals and rogue states seek to evade compliance measures. By identifying these risks, companies can adapt their strategies to prevent violations and ensure they remain in line with international sanctions regimes.

• The newest, sophisticated schemes and their lessons for legal and compliance
• Upgrading risk detection: Key warning signs
• Recognising and understand the emerging techniques used to circumvent sanctions enforcement
• Strengthening internal compliance systems to prevent violations before they occur
• Collaborating with regulators and other stakeholders to stay ahead of new circumvention tactics
• Next steps for addressing an actual or suspected circumvention scheme

This session explores the specific nuances of sanctions against Iran and Syria, including how they affect your compliance efforts, humanitarian efforts and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region. With shifts in global leadership and policy, the outlook for Iran and Syria-related sanctions is in flux, and companies operating in Syria or in the region need to stay informed to navigate these challenges.

• Practical impact of new, expected shifts in sanctions policy with respect to Iran and Syria
• The scope of divergence between U.S., UK and EU sanctions
• Revisiting your risk profile amid regional instability and geopolitical tensions
• Examining the unique challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in sanctioned regions like Syria
• Managing the financial and operational risks of working in sanctioned regions while balancing regulatory obligations

This session explores how financial institutions are adapting to the evolving landscape of sanctions compliance, particularly in light of shifting global financial systems and new regulatory expectations. From managing conflicts with instant payment systems to cooperating with corporate clients, attendees will gain insights into how banks are responding to these challenges.

• Examining the impact of global sanctions on the financial sector and how banks are adapting to meet new regulatory demands
• Addressing the growing conflicts between sanctions compliance and emerging payment systems like instant payments
• Collaborating with corporate clients to ensure they maintain compliance

During this closing session, benefit from more analysis and predictions for what is ahead-and more best practices for preparing amid looming uncertainty.

Bring your questions as well!