Sanctions have evolved into one of the most demanding and frequently misunderstood areas of regulatory compliance. Despite increasing investment in controls, screening tools, and due diligence mechanisms, many organizations continue to underestimate their true exposure, misinterpret risk, and treat sanctions compliance as a checklist exercise rather than as a strategic risk management function.
In an environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, complex ownership structures, and inconsistencies between national and international frameworks, effective sanctions controls are no longer measured by whether an organization simply “runs lists,” but by whether it truly understands where its exposure lies and how it manages that exposure operationally.
This is precisely the focus of the panel at the 12th International Compliance Forum, presented by ECOMBBX, titled “From Lists to Leverage: Why Sanctions Compliance Still Fails and What Can We Do About It.” The discussion will shed light on one of the most persistent and critical gaps in modern compliance, examining why organizations continue to fall short in practice despite increasing regulatory maturity and strengthened control mechanisms.
The panel will explore why many businesses still misinterpret their actual sanctions exposure, how critical blind spots in risk identification emerge, and why compliance often remains superficial, fragmented, or overly technical. Particular emphasis will be placed on the gap between banks, supervisory authorities, and corporates in interpreting and implementing sanctions obligations, as well as on the differing expectations that continue to create friction, ambiguity, and operational divergence.
Of particular interest will be the analysis of real enforcement cases, highlighting what authorities identify in practice, which mistakes are repeatedly made, and where even mature compliance frameworks continue to fail. From weaknesses in beneficial ownership screening to gaps in governance, escalation processes, and internal accountability, the discussion is expected to clearly illustrate why sanctions compliance remains under strain.
The panel will feature four distinguished experts with deep expertise across supervisory, operational, and institutional aspects of sanctions compliance: Paulis Iljenkovs, Deputy Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia; Samantha J. Sheen, Subject Matter Expert; Georgia Themistocleous, Head of the Sanctions Unit at the National Sanctions Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Finance of Cyprus; and Silvia Casagrande, Head of Engagement at the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).
Through this discussion, a more substantive approach to sanctions compliance is expected to emerge—not as a process driven by lists and alerts, but as a critical function of strategic judgment, governance, and institutional credibility.
A Landmark Event for Compliance
The 12th International Compliance Forum will take place on 20 May at the Parklane Resort & Spa in Limassol and is expected to serve as a key reference point for contemporary dialogue on compliance, regulatory strategy, and risk management.
The conference will address critical issues shaping the future of the compliance function, including sanctions enforcement, DORA, operational resilience, data governance, third-party risk, and the evolving relationship between technology, supervision, and accountability.
Who Should Attend
The event is aimed at Compliance, Risk, Audit, Ethics, and Privacy Officers, as well as board members, senior executives, legal advisors, and professionals from the banking, financial services, technology, legal, and audit sectors. With participation from banks, investment and insurance firms, FinTech companies, crypto service providers, regulatory authorities, and technology organizations, the forum is expected to be one of the most important gatherings of the compliance community in the wider region.
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To register, click here.
Information
Diamond Sponsor: ECOMMBX
Platinum Sponsor: Freedom Holding Corp.
Gold Sponsors: Treppides, XM
Silver Sponsors: Complyport, KPMG, Moebius, Zygos
Supporters: ACAMS Cyprus Chapter, ACCA, ACEMPI, CCA, ICAEW, The Marshall Islands Registry
With the support of: ACB, ACFE, Cyprus Bar Association, CIF, CFA Society, CYFA, Institute of Internal Auditors
Communication Sponsors: CBN News, GOLD, IN Business
For more information about the Forum please contact IMH:
Phone number: 77777741 │ Fax: 22679820
