FIC Circulars 17 and 18 of 2026: changes to UN sanctions lists

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The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) of Namibia issued UNSC Circular 17 of 2026 on 7 October 2026 and UNSC Circular 18 of 2026 on 16 October 2026. Both report changes to United Nations sanctions lists. Like earlier FIC circulars this year, both state that they vary the FIC's guidance note on reporting suspicious transactions (STRs) to add reporting of terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

What changed

The circulars do not name the entries. The details are in the UN press releases.

Each circular repeats the FIC's standard statement that it varies the guidance note on reporting suspicious transactions regarding money laundering, by adding obligations to report transactions or activities linked to terrorist financing and proliferation financing. The same statement appears in earlier 2026 circulars. The circulars set no new deadlines or forms.

Who it affects

Accountable and reporting institutions under the Financial Intelligence Act.

What this means for accountants and finance professionals

  • Screening lists must be updated for the removed and amended entries.

  • STR obligations cover terrorist financing and proliferation financing as well as money laundering.

  • Failing to follow a circular is a violation under section 63 of the FIA.

  • The FIC says accountable and reporting institutions are responsible for keeping up with changes the UN Security Council makes to the lists.

What to do

  1. Read UN press releases SC/16468 and SC/16480 and update your screening lists.

  2. Re-screen clients against the amended entries.

  3. Update internal STR procedures to include terrorist and proliferation financing.

  4. Subscribe to UN sanctions list updates by emailing sc-sanctionslists@un.org.

Sources: FIC Circular 17 of 2026, FIC Circular 18 of 2026, FIC publications page

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