2026 Agenda

Geopolitics have always driven sanctions. From the Former Soviet Union to South Africa, sanctions policy has often pivoted on key world issues. Today, modern geopolitics continue to shape the sanctions sphere. Divergences in policies and priorities between the US, Europe and other key trade partners like China, have tested our resolve as compliance professionals.

In this session, experts will explore the latest trade tensions between China, US and EU, how to integrate new geopolitical risks in your compliance program, and how to manage newly evolving sanctions, supply chain disruptions and enforcement risks.

The shadow fleet has evolved into a global network that serves several sanctioned regimes, including Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Beyond oil, the shadow model is now used for "dry commodities" such as grains, coal, mineral and fertilisers, and much more! So, how can you as a compliance professional operationalise these risks into your compliance programme?

This session follows an interactive compliance scenario as it unfolds. As new facts arrive, you will have a chance to analyse the information and make your decision, while our experts walk you through the best practices in each situation. We will cover the limits of name and IMO screening, vessel identity verification, fleet-level ownership risk, the use AIS monitoring, and the “No Russia” clause.

Rather hear about a more niche sanctions topic? Join us for an in-depth practical discussion!

Our experts will explain how items made outside the U.S. using American technology are subject to U.S. export controls. We’ll examine development and elements of the FDPR, consider how an FDPR violation can arise in a complex supply chain and discuss how to audit contract manufacturers for U.S.-content ties from an EU perspective while balancing with separate EU requirements.

Join us for our panel on export controls violations! This session takes a pragmatic look at the most significant export control actions in recent times—moving past the headlines to dissect exactly where internal compliance programmes (ICPs) broke down to make way for violations. Panellists will analyse the mechanics of major administrative settlements involving such topics as: unlicensed dual-use technology transfers, software data leaks, unauthorized shipments to restricted entities, semiconductor equipment and more.

Join this session to uncover the latest trends as well as the root of procedural failures that can happen within an ICP and what you can do to avoid them.

Rather hear about a more niche sanctions topic? Join us for an in-depth practical discussion!

This session explores how professional intermediaries can face sanctions exposure under U.S. and EU rules. Drawing on recent OFAC enforcement examples, such as the EU listing of Maxima Legal, and developments in EU and national legislation, the speakers will discuss the risks associated with concealed ownership, proxies, and professional services. The discussion will highlight practical lessons for advisers, fiduciaries, and financial institutions, including when to look beyond formal documents and escalate concerns.

Back by popular demand – the ACSS Conference Break-Out Round Tables! Ask practical questions and problem-solve with your peers in two back-to-back sessions of 40 minutes each. Attendees simply join their roundtable of choice, where they can engage in an informal discussion and benefit from a topic-specific networking opportunity. These roundtables will take place on Day 1 and Day 2 of the Conference, enabling attendees to choose four topics in total over two days.

A- China Focus: Semiconductors, Tariffs, Countersanctions and More

Facilitator 1 : Matt Bell | TradeCompliance.Software
Facilitator 2 : Olena Tregub | NAKO

Speakers: Nicolas Burnichon | BDW   Francesco Candeago |Airbus

B- Licenses: Tips, Challenges and Best Practices

Facilitator 1 : Maria Oliviera | Portugese Customs
Facilitator 2 : Charlotte Van Haute | KBC Bank

C- Beyond Name Screening: Practical Screening of Products and Services

Facilitator 1 : Martina Cont | Generali
Facilitator 2 : Muwon Hong | GLOVIS
Facilitator 3 : Greg Levene | Sigma360

D- The Impact of US Extraterritorial Sanctions and Export Controls on EU Companies

Facilitator 1 : Chris-Po Ba | Lloyds
Facilitator 2 : Howard Spieler | Citi

E- The Crypto/Fin-Tech Lockdown: Expanded EU bans on crypto and FIs operating in Russia

Facilitator 1 : Liz Kelleher | Citi

F- Spotlight on End Use/End User Risk

Facilitator 1 : Stuart Gamester | Shell UK
Facilitator 2 : John Whitworth | MJ Trade Advisory

G- Beyond Red Flags: Using AI to Detect Circumvention

Facilitator 1 : Marlon Oxley | Rabobank
Facilitator 2 : Keith Huffman | SAP

H- Regulation 833: How to Deal with Trade Based Russia Sanctions

Facilitator 1 : Ian Foley | DETE
Facilitator 2 : Paul Iljenkovs | FIU Latvia

I - Legal Grey Zones: Conflict of Laws, Breach of Contract, Sanctions Clauses

Facilitator 1 : Anne Gaustad-Hanken | Morgan Lewis
Facilitator 2 : Jaume Comas Mir | MSC

J- Iran, Syria and Other Middle East Related Sanctions

Facilitator 1 : Ivonne Duarte-Peña | United Nations
Facilitator 2 : Ilayda Ozdemir | Turkish Airlines

K- Leveraging OSINT to Determine Beneficial Ownership: Best Practices and Pitfalls.

Facilitator 1 : Ian Matthews | Fairgreen Sanctions Consulting
Facilitator 2 : Tatjana Dobrovolny | Raiffheisen Bank

L- Export Controls: How To Avoid Item Misclassification and Other Risks

Facilitator 1 : Jill Hurley | Livingston
Facilitator 2 : Ashley Kalyn | Peacock Tariff Consulting

Join us for our sanctions panel, highlighting representatives, academics and agents who work on enforcement and investigations cases.

Our speakers will discuss, among other things: New Taskforces, the EU Directive on the Harmonisation of criminal rules and penalties for sanctions violations as well as the new secure EU sanctions information exchange tool managed by FISMA, new trends in AI in investigations, as well as recent cases throughout the EU and UK. National Competent Authorities (NCAs), including FIUs, will discuss how they obtain and share data on frozen assets, risky ownership structures, and suspected circumvention with other authorities. With EU national competent authorities now better collaborating on enforcement: what does this mean for your next audit?

Think you have the Sanctions Guru knowledge it takes to win? Participate in our European-focused trivia game to test your real-world knowledge of sanctions regulations, export controls, and key lessons learned from enforcement cases in a fun and interactive format. But you better be quick or someone will beat you to it!

Amazing prizes to be won for those who win. So don't miss out!"

Join us for our government policy and priorities panel, where we bring together high level experts who will define the regulatory focus and enforcement landscape for 2027 and beyond. With OFSI strengthening its enforcement agenda, and the EU hardening its strategic autonomy, the next level of European sanctions and enforcement is coming!

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the leaders shaping the rules of the new geopolitical economy and how they are aligning their arsenals to eliminate jurisdictional arbitrage.

"In this scenario-based interactive workshop, attendees are divided into teams and presented with a scenario in which a client is an EU designated entity. After being presented with the ""Initial Incident Report”, the teams are given time to discuss and draft their initial strategy, a self-disclosure (or not) recommendation, and three immediate remediation steps. Once ready, Teams will have the opportunity to present their strategy to a ""Simulated Regulator Panel"" with speakers playing the role of an EU National Competent Authority, FIU, the EBA or OFAC.

Join us as attendees receive valuable and practical feedback on their proposed strategy in real time!"

In this scenario-based interactive workshop, attendees will be presented with a scenario involving a potential sanctions violation. After being presented with the "Initial Scenario”, tables are given time to discuss and consider a self-disclosure (or not) recommendation. Once ready, attendees will vote on whether or not to disclose the potential violation in real-time. Then, our "Simulated Regulator Panel" with speakers playing the role of regulators in the EU, UK and US, will give their thoughts on how authorities might view the situation.

Join us as attendees receive valuable and practical feedback on their decisions to disclose in real time!

"Rather hear about something more export controls focussed? Join us for an in-depth look at export controls due diligence!

Simply knowing your direct suppliers is not enough. A single controlled component or a piece of software buried three tiers deep can compromise your entire global product lines. This session moves beyond basic vendor vetting and explores how organizations are mapping, monitoring, and derisking their supplier networks. Panelists will discuss approaches to data collection, risk identification, how AI is being utilised, and cover how to build practical and defensible visibility into your supply chains, while minimizing bottlenecks in your procurement process."

In this debate-style session, our panelists will discuss whether the EU is making a mistake by copying U.S.-style extraterritoriality or whether it is a bold step forward.

First, speakers with opposing views will debate the topic and present their views. Then... you are invited to come on stage! We will place one chair in the center empty. We will then call on those who have signed up to sit in the "Open Debate" chair. You will then have 1 min to either ask a question or present your point, after which time another person will get their change in the hot seat!

Rather hear about something more export controls focussed? Join us for our practical session on licenses!

This session will skip over regulatory theory to dive straight into the practical mechanics of accelerating license turnaround times. This focused session delivers field-tested tips and tricks, such as bridging the engineering-compliance gap with front end templates that extract precise technical data from your engineering teams on the first try. We will also cover workflows, documentation hacks, and cross-functional strategies that drastically reduce error rates, eliminate redundant reviews, and minimize "Requests for Information" from the authorities that may cause delays.

Back by popular demand – the ACSS Conference Break-Out Round Tables! Ask practical questions and problem-solve with your peers in two back-to-back sessions of 40 minutes each. Attendees simply join their roundtable of choice, where they can engage in an informal discussion and benefit from a topic-specific networking opportunity. These roundtables will take place on Day 1 and Day 2 of the Conference, enabling attendees to choose four topics in total over two days.

A- China Focus: Semiconductors, Tariffs, Countersanctions and More

Facilitator 1 : Matt Bell | TradeCompliance.Software
Facilitator 2 : Olena Tregub | NAKO

Speakers: Nicolas Burnichon | BDW   Francesco Candeago |Airbus

B- Licenses: Tips, Challenges and Best Practices

Facilitator 1 : Maria Oliviera | Portugese Customs
Facilitator 2 : Charlotte Van Haute | KBC Bank

C- Beyond Name Screening: Practical Screening of Products and Services

Facilitator 1 : Martina Cont | Generali
Facilitator 2 : Muwon Hong | GLOVIS
Facilitator 3 : Greg Levene

D- The Impact of US Extraterritorial Sanctions and Export Controls on EU Companies

Facilitator 1 : Chris-Po Ba | Lloyds
Facilitator 2 : Howard Spieler | Citi

E- The Crypto/Fin-Tech Lockdown: Expanded EU bans on crypto and FIs operating in Russia

Facilitator 1 : Liz Kelleher | Citi
Facilitator 2 : Mauro Halve | VBNL

F- Spotlight on End Use/End User Risk

Facilitator 1 : Stuart Gamester | Shell UK
Facilitator 2 : John Whitworth | MJ Trade Advisory

G- Beyond Red Flags: Using AI to Detect Circumvention

Facilitator 1 : Marlon Oxley | Rabobank
Facilitator 2 : Keith Huffman | SAP

H- Regulation 833: How to Deal with Trade Based Russia Sanctions

Facilitator 1 : Ian Foley | DETE
Facilitator 2 : Paul Iljenkovs | FIU Latvia

I - Legal Grey Zones: Conflict of Laws, Breach of Contract, Sanctions Clauses

Facilitator 1 : Anne Gaustad-Hanken | Morgan Lewis
Facilitator 2 : Jaume Comas Mir | MSC

J- Iran, Syria and Other Middle East Related Sanctions

Facilitator 1 : Ivonne Duarte-Peña | United Nations
Facilitator 2 : Ilayda Ozdemir | Turkish Airlines

K- Leveraging OSINT to Determine Beneficial Ownership: Best Practices and Pitfalls.

Facilitator 1 : Ian Matthews | Fairgreen Sanctions Consulting
Facilitator 2 : Tatjana Dobrovolny | Raiffheisen Bank

L- Export Controls: How To Avoid Item Misclassification and Other Risks

Facilitator 1 : Jill Hurley | Livingston
Facilitator 2 : Ashley Kalyn | Peacock Tariff Consulting

Join us as we acknowledge some of the outstanding members of our Community.

Artificial Intelligence and its potential impacts on the future of compliance checks and screening has been at the forefront of the sanctions and export controls community for several years now. But how does a compliance suite truly apply this new technology and how can AI agents interface with human review and input?

In this unique session, our speakers will dive into a real-world use cases to discuss: how AI can be done efficiently without compromising accuracy; when a company should consider implementing AI and to what elements of the compliance program; how the human element comes into play after AI is incorporated into your sanctions compliance program… and much more!