Asia / Pacific Group on Money Laundering

A Cambodian delegation led by Senior Minister and Head of Commission on Combating Online Scams H.E. Chhay Sinarith visited the APG Secretariat in Sydney for discussions on strengthening regional responses to online scams, cyber-enabled fraud and related illicit financial flows.

The APG Secretariat delivered a four-day Preliminary Mutual Evaluation Preparation (P-MEP) visit to Thailand from 29 June to 2 July 2026, to support Thailand’s preparations for its mutual evaluation, which is scheduled to commence in 2028. The visit was supported by a representative from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who provided valuable insights into mutual evaluation preparation and guidance on the FATF's Global Fifth Round standards and methodology. The visit was also attended by a representative from Bhutan, who shared experiences from Bhutan's own preparations and gained a deeper understanding of the approaches being undertaken by other jurisdictions. Over the four days, the APG Secretariat, IMF and Bhutan met with delegates from Thailand’s lead agencies and the private sector. Discussions focused on identifying current deficiencies within Thailand’s AML/CFT regime and exploring practical measures that could be progressed ahead of commencing its mutual evaluation in 2028. “The Preliminary Mutual Evaluation Preparation is viewed as more than just getting ready for an assessment. It provides an important opportunity for us to better understand the FATF standards, reflect on the effectiveness of our AML/CFT framework, and identify areas where further improvements are needed. The knowledge, insights, and practical guidance provided by the APG will help us strengthen our preparedness, address existing gaps, and ensure that our legal, institutional, and operational arrangements are effectively aligned with international AML/CFT standards.” Theppasu Bavornchotidara, the Secretary General of the Anti-Money Laundering Board, Thailand, said. “Thailand has demonstrated a strong commitment to preparing for its mutual evaluation. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss priority reforms that could further strengthen Thailand's AML/CFT framework and support its preparations for the 2028 evaluation”, Michelle Harwood Director of Mutual Evaluation Coordination said.

The 2026 APG Annual Meeting and Technical Assistance Forum took place in Brunei Darussalam from 27-31 July, drawing over 380 delegates from across the Asia/Pacific. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Finance, Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank and Co-Chaired by Deputy Vice Minister Mitsutoshi Kajikawa (Japan) and Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale (Australia).