Strasbourg, 17 June 2025

FATF-FSRB Annual High-Level Meeting and Technical Assistance Peer Exchange event

On Saturday 14 June, FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo met with Chairs of FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs) at the FATF-FSRB Annual High-Level Meeting in Strasbourg. 

The Global Network, comprising the FATF and the 9 FSRBs, is an inclusive framework that brings together more than 200 jurisdictions. They are united by a shared commitment to tackle illicit finance, to apply a single set of standards and a universal system of mutual evaluations.

FSRBs reported on the implementation of the Global Network priorities, and especially on their active engagement to prepare their members for the new round of mutual evaluations. Under the new round of mutual evaluations there will be an increased focus on how effectively countries are combatting money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing in relation to risks they face, and a greater emphasis on the major risks and context. 

All FSRBs will adopt their first mutual evaluation under the new round by the end of 2026, or in early 2027.  

The meeting also highlighted increasing interactions within the Global Network, including between FSRBs, and the mutual benefits of peer-learning cooperation and experience-sharing. Under the Mexican Presidency, strengthen cohesion within the Global Network is a key priority for the FATF.

Technical Assistance Peer Exchange event

The FATF also held a Technical Assistance Peer Exchange event on Saturday 14 June. The event brought together more than 100 representatives of donors, FSRBs and their members, and technical assistance and capacity building providers, including the International Monetary Fund, The World Bank, and UNODC, to discuss strategic issues and challenges relating to support for countries with fewer resources to tackle financial crime. Technical assistance and capacity building projects support countries to implement the global AML/CFT standards. The mutual evaluation and follow-up process, including grey listing, mobilise resources to support countries to strengthen their defences against illicit finance and put in place measures that will increase security and sustainable economic development.

In sessions moderated by FATF Vice President Jeremy Weil and FATF Global Network Co-chair Pierre Allégret, participants heard what success looks like, the power of regional support between peers, and the importance of effective coordination between donors, providers and countries.

Hon. André Ebanks, MP, Premier & Minister for Financial Services and Commerce of the Cayman Islands, highlighted the importance of technical assistance in ensuring smaller countries can strengthen their defences against illicit finance and focus on development.