Securities commissions and stock exchanges are increasingly requesting the expertise and experience of SEC staff in dealing with insider trading, market manipulation, pyramid schemes, corporate governance, inspections and compliance, anti-money laundering, and a host of other market development and enforcement issues. Utilizing a faculty of senior SEC and industry officials, and seasoned practitioners, the technical assistance program provides training to nearly 2000 regulatory and law enforcement officials from over 100 countries. The program is helping improve market development and enforcement capacity around the world through its flagship International Institutes, bilateral missions, and regional training programs.

The SEC’s Technical Assistance program anticipates a substantial increase in demand each year. The programs include our two flagship Institutes: the International Institute for Market Development held in April, and the International Enforcement Institute held in November. The SEC's training Institutes are hosted in Washington D.C. and continue to draw record numbers of regulators from emerging and developed markets. Every year, we also anticipate conducting at least one regional training program in each region: Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well a number of bilateral programs.

The Technical Assistance program also includes assessments that provide specific and confidential written reports to our counterparts that identify problem areas and make recommendations for addressing the weaknesses. The Technical Assistance program also conducts training and assistance for jurisdictions aspiring to joining the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding. Sponsors of the SEC’s technical assistance missions include U.S. AID, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Many of the missions are also host paid by the requesting government authorities.

Need Technical Assistance?

Contact the SEC's Office of International Affairs at (202) 551-6690; or by facsimile at (202) 772-9280.

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