Countering Proliferation Financing

Proliferation financing presents a complex and evolving threat to international security, demanding specialised expertise and robust global collaboration.




Flickr / Ryan Chan licensed as Public Domain Dedication (CC0)


Proliferating states like North Korea exploit a combination of traditional methods, innovative tactics and emerging technologies to generate the vast funds that they need to finance their development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes.

From crypto hacks to the use of IT workers and diplomatic networks for revenue generation, proliferation financing comes in many forms, requiring both the public and private sectors to continually monitor the threat landscape and assess their exposure to related risks. It is vital that all stakeholders understand how these proliferation networks operate and are able to identify the regional and sectoral vulnerabilities which countries like North Korea may seek to exploit. This is the first step toward building robust defences.

Flickr / Ryan Chan licensed as Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

Overview

Our work offers critical insights, practical tools, and effective policy advice to combat proliferation financing. Through cutting-edge research, comprehensive risk assessment guidance, and globally reaching capacity-building programmes, we equip stakeholders with the knowledge and resources that they need to better counter the threat of proliferation financing.

Project team


Tom Keatinge

Director, CFS

Centre for Finance and Security

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Wojciech Pawlus

Outreach and Implementation Manager

Centre for Finance and Security

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Fatima Alsancak

CPF Technical Assistance Programme Research Fellow

Centre for Finance and Security

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Chandana Seshadri

Research Analyst, Counter Proliferation Financing

Centre for Finance and Security

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Key Associate Fellows


Allison Owen

Associate Fellow - Expert in cryptocurrency and counter-proliferation finance

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Dr Aaron Arnold

Senior Associate Fellow; Former member of the UN Panel of Experts for DPRK sanctions

Centre for Finance and Security

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Andrew Mackay

Associate Fellow; Independent Consultant

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Dr Noémi També

Associate Fellow; Independent Financial Crime Consultant and Researcher

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Dr Ashley Hess

Associate Fellow

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Dr Daniel Salisbury

RUSI Associate Fellow - Expert in nuclear security and open source intelligence

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Aims and objectives

Our work combines evidence-based research, tailored training programmes, and targeted roundtables to address the unique challenges of proliferation financing. These efforts aim to raise awareness and strengthen regulatory and legal frameworks to combat this global threat.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Research on both the traditional and innovative methods used by North Korea to generate, launder, and deploy funds in support of its WMD programme.
     
  • The challenges and gaps in establishing robust regulatory and legal frameworks to effectively counter proliferation financing and how countries can look to enhance these frameworks.
     
  • The ways in which proliferation networks exploit the financial sector and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) to raise revenue and transfer funds for acquiring WMD-sensitive items.
     
  • Delivering guidance and practical support to governments and financial institutions in conducting risk assessments to identify and respond to proliferation financing threats.

Latest publications

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    CPF Technical Assistance Programme

    CPF Technical Assistance Programme

    Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment

    Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment

    National Risk Assessments

    National Risk Assessments

    Cryptocurrencies and Virtual Assets

    Virtual assets, or cryptocurrencies, have fundamentally changed the ways in which criminals, terrorists and hostile states operate their finances.