Last year, a new client approached me with an intriguing and unusual request. Knowing that I work with companies on sustainability issues, could I help her create a “Forever Forest,” that is, set aside land as protected forest in perpetuity?
If an MSI elects to create an independent secretariat, it will need to select a city and country in which to locate its headquarters. It is not always easy for a global initiative to decide this, as there will be a multitude of factors and these will rarely point to one location.
A key litmus test for the effective governance of any MSI is its capacity to deliver results on key priorities and a work plan agreed upon by it governing board. Needless to say, a competent and effective Secretariat is essential to delivering strong results.
I was honoured to be invited as an expert witness to the Finance Committee on the Review of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Terrorism Financing Act. My testimony is reproduced below.