The international forum «From Confiscation to Public Benefit», dedicated to transforming seized assets of criminal origin into resources for society, took place in Tirana (Republic of Albania) at the end of May.

The event was organized by the Albanian Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK). The forum brought together representatives of anti-corruption bodies, European Union institutions, international organizations and the expert community to discuss modern approaches to the finding, tracing, confiscation and management of assets derived from criminal activities.

During the thematic panel discussions, participants, including a representative of ARMA, discussed issues related to combating organized crime and corruption, effective management of seized and confiscated assets in the public interest, international cooperation in the field of asset tracing, as well as challenges associated with digital assets and cryptocurrencies.

Particular attention was paid to inter-institutional coordination at all stages from asset finding to confiscation, as well as practices of the social reuse of confiscated property for the benefit of communities.

The event also included a meeting of the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) and a study visit to facilities that had been confiscated and repurposed for socially beneficial use. Participants were introduced to practical examples of their utilization for the benefit of local communities.

The forum became an important international platform for discussing modern approaches to the tracing, confiscation and management of assets derived from criminal activities. The exchange of experience among specialized institutions from different countries will contribute to the dissemination of best practices in the field of managing seized and confiscated assets and to the development of modern approaches focused on maximizing benefits for the state and society.