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From 28 September to 2 October 2026, 44 participants from 23 APG member jurisdictions attended the APG Standards Training Course (STC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the final STC for 2026. The training was generously hosted by Malaysia’s Bank Negara at its training facility, Lanai Kijang, and was delivered by expert trainers from the APG Secretariat, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei and the International Monetary Fund. Mr Robin Newnham, Head of Policy Analysis and Guidance for the Alliance for Financial Inclusion also provided an informative session on financial inclusion and the FATF Standards. This STC was the first to bring together participants from both Asia and the Pacific. Participants represented a diverse range of professions, including financial intelligence, supervision/regulation, law enforcement and the judiciary. Throughout the week, participants engaged in presentations, group discussions and practical exercises designed to strengthen their understanding of the FATF Standards on AML/CFT, as well as effective measures to combat illicit financing. The STC also provided valuable opportunities for participants to build professional networks and exchange experiences outside of the formal sessions. The APG’s Pacific AML/CFT Capacity Development Program sponsored six participants from Pacific member jurisdictions to attend the STC, reflecting an ongoing commitment to strengthening AML/CFT capability across the Pacific. The Pacific-focused STC scheduled for February 2027 will continue to support capacity development priorities for Pacific members. The STC is a key component of the APG training program, helping to strengthen the capacity of member jurisdictions to prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

Canada’s Mutual Evaluation Report has been published. The APG congratulates Canada and thanks the assessment team, the reviewers and the FATF and APG Secretariats for their contributions.

The APG participated in the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, hosted by Cambodia on 23–24 September 2026. The conference reflected Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to address the risks associated with online scams and cyber scam hubs, supported by engagement with the APG and other regional and international partners.

The recent onsite visit by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to Fiji marks a significant milestone in Fiji's Mutual Evaluation process. The visit provided an opportunity for the APG assessment team to engage with key government agencies, law enforcement bodies, regulators, private sector representatives and other stakeholders to better understand Fiji's anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) framework, including how effectively it operates in practice. The preparation for and successful delivery of the onsite visit reflects the significant effort undertaken across Fiji's AML/CFT/CPF community as Fiji progresses through the next stages of the Mutual Evaluation process. The onsite also provided Fiji with an opportunity to demonstrate the progress it has made since its last evaluation, showcase how AML/CFT/CPF measures are being implemented in practice, identify areas for further strengthening, and reinforce cooperation across agencies and sectors in addressing financial crime risks. APG Deputy Executive Secretary, David Shannon, said the onsite visit marked an important milestone in the evaluation process. "The Fiji onsite visit was the first APG-only mutual evaluation onsite visit conducted under the Global 5th Round. Over the course of two weeks, the assessment team held more than 70 meetings with government agencies, competent authorities and private sector stakeholders. The strong engagement, openness and cooperation demonstrated by Fijian delegates were instrumental in supporting the assessment team's understanding of Fiji's AML/CFT/CPF framework and how it operates in practice." The APG Secretariat extends its sincere appreciation to the assessment team, as well as all Fijian agencies, private sector representatives and stakeholders who contributed their time, expertise and commitment throughout the onsite visit. The Mutual Evaluation process remains a key component of the APG's peer review system, helping members assess the effectiveness of their AML/CFT/CPF measures and identify opportunities to strengthen their frameworks in line with international standards.

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).

A new report released today reveals how cyber scam hubs have evolved into sophisticated transnational criminal enterprises that combine large-scale online fraud with the trafficking and exploitation of thousands of people.

APG’s collaboration with Nepal to fast-track efforts to be removed from the ICRG list