Valencia, Spain, 23 June 2017 - As part of its on-going review of compliance with the AML/CFT standards, the FATF identifies the following jurisdictions that have strategic AML/CFT deficiencies for which they have developed an action plan with the FATF. While the situations differ among each jurisdiction, each jurisdiction has provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies. The FATF welcomes these commitments.
A number of jurisdictions have not yet been reviewed by the FATF. The FATF continues to identify additional jurisdictions, on an on-going basis, that pose a risk to the international financial system.
The FATF and the FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs) will continue to work with the jurisdictions noted below and to report on the progress made in addressing the identified deficiencies. The FATF calls on these jurisdictions to complete the implementation of action plans expeditiously and within the proposed timeframes. The FATF will closely monitor the implementation of these action plans and encourages its members to consider the information presented below.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In June 2015, Bosnia and Herzegovina made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted several laws, including amendments to the criminal codes and amendments to financial sector laws. The FATF will need to review the final versions of these laws to determine the extent to which they address certain deficiencies, including: (1) harmonising criminalisation of terrorist financing and money laundering in the remaining criminal code; (2) establishing adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets; and (3) establishing an adequate supervisory framework. Bosnia and Herzegovina will also need to continue progress in implementing adequate and appropriate measures for the non-profit sector and cross-border currency controls. The FATF encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue implementing its action plan to address its AML/CFT deficiencies.
Ethiopia
In February 2017, Ethiopia made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen its effectiveness and address any related technical deficiencies. Ethiopia has begun working to implement its action plan, which includes: (1) implementing the results of its national risk assessment; (2) fully integrating designated non-financial businesses and professions into its AML/CFT regime; (3) ensuring that the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime are confiscated; (4) consistently implementing terrorism-related targeted financial sanctions and proportionately regulating non-profit organizations in line with a risk-based approach; and (5) establishing and implementing WMD-related targeted financial sanctions. The FATF encourages Ethiopia to continue implementing its action plan to address its AML/CFT deficiencies.
Iraq
In October 2013, Iraq made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2017, Iraq has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime. Iraq should continue to implement its action plan to address its remaining deficiencies, including by: (1) continuing to implement its legal framework and related procedures for identifying and freezing terrorist assets; (2) ensuring that all financial institutions are subject to adequate customer due diligence requirements; (3) ensuring that all financial institutions are subject to adequate suspicious transaction reporting requirements; and (4) establishing and implementing an adequate AML/CFT supervisory and oversight programme for all financial institutions. The FATF encourages Iraq to continue implementing its action plan to address its remaining AML/CFT deficiencies.
Syria
Since February 2010, when Syria made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Syria has made progress to improve its AML/CFT regime. In June 2014, the FATF determined that Syria had substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by criminalising terrorist financing and establishing procedures for freezing terrorist assets. While the FATF determined that Syria has completed its action plan agreed upon with the FATF, due to the security situation, the FATF has been unable to conduct an on-site visit to assess whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and will conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.
Uganda
Since February 2014, when Uganda made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Uganda has substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by: (1) adequately criminalising terrorist financing; (2) establishing adequate procedures for freezing terrorist assets in accordance with UNSCRs 1267 and 1373, and their successor resolutions; (3) ensuring that all financial institutions are subject to adequate record-keeping requirements; (4) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; (5) introducing an appropriate legal basis to permit the competent authorities to provide a wide range of mutual legal assistance; and (6) ensuring that appropriate laws and procedures are in place with regard to international co-operation for the financial intelligence unit and supervisory authorities. The FATF will conduct an on-site visit to confirm that the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway to address deficiencies previously identified by the FATF.
Vanuatu
In February 2016, Vanuatu made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. Since February 2017, Vanuatu has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by the passage and entry into force of 12 amendment acts and introducing one new act related to targeted financial sanctions. The FATF will need to review the final versions of these laws. Vanuatu should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its deficiencies, including by: (1) assessing and responding to offshore terrorist financing risks; (2) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; (3) establishing and implementing adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets related to money laundering; (4) establishing and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets and other UNSCR sanctions; (5) ensuring a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; (6) strengthening preventive measures, including for wire transfers; (7) establishing transparency for the financial sector, and for legal persons and arrangements; (8) implementing an risk-based AML/CFT supervisory and oversight programme for all the financial sector and trust and company service providers; and (9) establishing appropriate channels for international co-operation and domestic coordination policies and actions on identified risks and ensuring effective implementation. The FATF encourages Vanuatu to continue implementing its action plan to address its AML/CFT deficiencies.
Yemen
Since February 2010, when Yemen made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, Yemen has made progress to improve its AML/CFT regime. In June 2014, the FATF determined that Yemen had substantially addressed its action plan at a technical level, including by adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; establishing procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets; improving its customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting requirements; issuing guidance; developing the monitoring and supervisory capacity of the financial sector supervisory authorities and the financial intelligence unit; and establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning FIU. While the FATF determined that Yemen has completed its action plan agreed upon with the FATF, due to the security situation, the FATF has been unable to conduct an on-site visit to assess whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions is underway. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.
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Jurisdictions No Longer Subject to the FATF’s On-Going Global AML/CFT Compliance Process
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Afghanistan
The FATF welcomes Afghanistan’s significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime and notes that Afghanistan has established the legal and regulatory framework to meet its commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF had identified in June 2012. Afghanistan is therefore no longer subject to the FATF’s monitoring process under its on-going global AML/CFT compliance process. Afghanistan will work with APG as it continues to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified in its mutual evaluation report, in particular, fully implementing the cross-border regulations at its official land border crossing points.
Lao PDR
The FATF welcomes Lao PDR’s significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime and notes that Lao PDR has established the legal and regulatory framework to meet its commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF had identified in January 2015. Lao PDR is therefore no longer subject to the FATF’s monitoring process under its on-going global AML/CFT compliance process. Lao PDR will work with APG as it continues to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified in its mutual evaluation report.
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