2025 AGENDA
Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 30-31 Oct 2025Thursday, 30 Oct 2025
Main Conference Day 1
8:00 – 9:00
Registration and Welcome Coffee for all Attendees
9:00 – 9:15
WELCOME REMARKS
9:15 – 9:45
KEYNOTE ADDRESS - A Decade Undercover In North Korea—Exposing the Regime’s Sanctions-Evasion Playbook
9:45 – 10:30
GENERAL SESSION: The Scary Space In-Between: Navigating New Divergences between EU and US Sanctions and Export Controls Policy for European Multinationals
In the last year, we have experienced a myriad of political change on the world stage. From sweeping tarrifs from one day to the next to divergences in sanctions policy on Russia and other regimes, 2025 has seen some of the most surprising sanctions and export controls developments in recent years. What will be the likely impact on European multinationals?
In this session, our experts will delve into the ever-changing geopolitical landscape, the consequences of any divergences in policy, and how to prepare for what’s to come.
10:30 – 11:00
Networking Break in Exhibit Area
11:00 – 11:45
GENERAL SESSION: It's Alive! The Modernised EU Export Control Regulation: What Every Compliance Officer Needs to Know
The modernised EU Export Controls Regulation, specifically Regulation (EU) 2021/821, aims to upgrade and strengthen the EU’s export control toolbox to respond effectively to evolving security risks and emerging technologies. But have you properly implemented all the new rules into your compliance program?
Join us as our experts:
*provide an overview of the new rules;
*discuss how they may/may not apply to your business, and
*suggest practical solutions for incorporating them into your sanctions compliance CDD
11:45 – 12:30
GENERAL SESSION: SanctionsSciFi: The Impact of AI and Other Emerging Technologies on Sanctions Compliance
In this panel, we will dive into the futuristic technological developments in sanctions compliance and screening, particulary the shifting paradigm in the interaction between human and artificial intelligence.
We will discuss:
* the impact of data quality on the effectiveness and efficiency of automated processing;
* challenges in implementing AI and other technologies efficiently and without compromising accuracy; and
* any new skills that may be needed in sanctions compliance investigations with the introduction of AI.
12:30 – 13:30
Networking Luncheon
13:30 – 15:00
ROUNDTABLES – 2 rounds of 40 mins each + 10 mins to move between sessions
Back by popular demand – the ACSS Conference Break-Out Round Tables! Ask practical questions and problem-solve with your peers. Attendees can choose from moderated roundtable topics, engage in detailed discussions and benefit from a more topic-specific networking opportunity. There are two back-to-back sessions of 40 minutes each. After session one, attendees can go to the next topic of their choice. These roundtables will take place on days one and two, enabling attendees to choose four topics in total over two days.
A-Revisiting Sanctions on Russia/Belarus: Tips & Best Practices
Speakers: Nicolas Burnichon | BDW Francesco Candeago |Airbus
B-China Related Sanctions and Export Controls: The Latest Trends and Responses
Speakers: Howard Spieler | Citi Eric Vennekens | ASML Netherlands BV
C-How to Create an Export Control Framework for Banks
Speakers: Fatma Matsar | Citi
D-Sanctions Tech: Building a Robust Screening Program to Reduce False Positives
Speakers: David Davies | LexisNexis Risk Solutions Gagik Sargsyan | Polixis
E-How to Audit Your Sanctions Program
Speakers: Adam Butschek | SAP
F-Know your Supply Chain: Insurance, Transportation, and Logistics
Speakers: Kester Meijer | KLM CargoRobert Walsh | AXA Group
G-Sanctions Issues in the Middle East: Syria, Iran and More
Speakers: Coline Cauvin | Acquis EU Law & PolicyKristin Fabbe |EUI
H-The Rise of EU ‘Secondary’ Sanctions and their Effect on the Sanctions Landscape
Speakers: Jan Dunin-Wasowicz | Bennink Dunin-Wasowicz Jeff Nielsen | Ramboll
I – Case Studies: Sanctions Circumvention
Speakers: Saskia Rietbroek | Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS)
J-EU Sanctions – Ask Me Anything
Speakers: Myroslava Marakchuk | EU Sanctions Helpdesk Pilvi Pusa | European Commission (DG FISMA)
15:00 – 15:30
Networking Break in Exhibit Area
15:30 – 16:15
CASE STUDY: Crisis Scenario: Ghost Fleets - Detecting Illicit Shipments to Russia and Iran In Real-Time
In this session, our speakers will take you through a ‘crisis scenario’ case study involving sanctions circumvention and explain how all parties to the transaction can spot potential sanctions and export restrictions violations in common day-to-day situations that may arise. In addition to unusual trade flows and vessel movements, what are the red flags in financial flows?
Our speakers will work through the case study in real time with our audience, so come ready to navigate the facts and raise your hand!
16:15 - 17:00
GENERAL SESSION: The Sanctions and Export Controls Spook-tacular Trivia Game 20/20
Join us for a little fun! Participate in our trivia quiz to test your real-world knowledge of sanctions regulations, common terminology, and key lessons learned from enforcement cases in a fun and interactive format. But you better be quick or someone will beat you! Amazing prizes to be won for those who place first, second, and third. So don’t miss out!
17:00 - 17:05
Closing Remarks Day 1
17:00 – 18:00
Networking Cocktail
18:30 – 19:30
ACSS 'members-only' Boat Ride Experience - 'The Spooky Cruise'
Friday, 31 Oct 2025
Main Conference Day 2
8:00 – 9:00
Registration and Welcome Coffee – Light breakfast
9:00 – 9:30
KEYNOTE ADDRESS - EU Sanctions under a Danish Presidency: A Look Ahead
9:30 – 10:45
GENERAL SESSION: Regulation Station: New Developments in Policy and Enforcement, and the Future of Global Cooperation
Join us as expert government speakers and policy advisors from the EU, UK and US share their perspectives on evolving sanctions policy and new enforcement developments, and assist us with preparing to navigate the shaky sanctions compliance landscape in 2025 and beyond.
10:45 – 11:15
Networking Break in Exhibit Area
11:15 – 12:00
GENERAL SESSION: CDD Ghouls: Detecting Hidden Sanctioned UBOs and Sanctions Evaders
12:00 – 12:30
The ACSS 1st Annual Sanctions Guru Awards
– CSS Exam – Best Score
– CXS EXam – Best Score
– Volunteer of the Year
12:30 – 13:30
Networking Luncheon
13:30 – 15:00
ROUNDTABLES – 2 rounds of 40 mins each + 10 mins to move between sessions
Back by popular demand – the ACSS Conference Break-Out Round Tables! Ask practical questions and problem-solve with your peers. Attendees can choose from moderated roundtable topics, engage in detailed discussions and benefit from a more topic-specific networking opportunity. There are two back-to-back sessions of 40 minutes each. After session one, attendees can go to the next topic of their choice. These roundtables will take place on days one and two, enabling attendees to choose four topics in total over two days.
A-Revisiting Sanctions on Russia/Belarus: Tips & Best Practices
Speakers: Nicolas Burnichon | BDW * Francesco Candeago |Airbus
B-China Related Sanctions and Export Controls: The Latest Trends and Responses
Speakers: Howard Spieler | Citi Eric Vennekens | ASML Netherlands BV
C-How to Create an Export Control Framework for Banks
Speakers: Fatma Matsar | Citi
D-Sanctions Tech: Building a Robust Screening Program to Reduce False Positives
Speakers: David Davies | LexisNexis Risk SolutionsGagik Sargsyan | Polixis
E-How to Audit Your Sanctions Program
Speakers: Adam Butschek | SAP
F-Know your Supply Chain: Insurance, Transportation, and Logistics
Speakers: Kester Meijer | KLM Cargo Robert Walsh | AXA Group
G-Sanctions Issues in the Middle East: Syria, Iran and More
Speakers: Coline Cauvin | Acquis EU Law & Policy Kristin Fabbe |EUI
H-The Rise of EU ‘Secondary’ Sanctions and their Effect on the Sanctions Landscape
Speakers: Jan Dunin-Wasowicz | Bennink Dunin-Wasowicz Jeff Nielsen | Ramboll
I – Case Studies: Sanctions Circumvention
Speakers: Saskia Rietbroek | Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS)
J-EU Sanctions – Ask Me Anything
Speakers: Myroslava Marakchuk | EU Sanctions HelpdeskPilvi Pusa | European Commission (DG FISMA)
15:00 – 15:30
Networking Break in Exhibit Area
15:30 – 16:15
GENERAL SESSION: Legal Grey Zones: Nexus, Sanctions Contract Clauses, and Implications in the M&A Process
Our experts will cover:
* The differing ways of finding a sanctions ‘nexus’;
* Best practices for drafting sanctions clauses, and
* How sanctions can impact the M&A process.
16:15 - 17:00
GENERAL SESSION: The Sanctions Autopsy - Dissection of the Latest Sanctions and Export Controls Enforcement Actions
Moderator: Saskia Rietbroek | ACSS
































