Circular No. 18/2026: High-Risk Countries and Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring

[Logo: Palestine Monetary Authority]
PALESTINE MONETARY AUTHORITY

Circular No. (18 / 2026)
To all payment service companies in Palestine
Date: Monday, June 29, 2026

Subject: High-Risk Countries and Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring

Attached is a copy of the decision issued by the Financial Follow-Up Unit No. (2026/2) regarding High-Risk Countries and Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring in accordance with the list issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Accordingly, the necessary measures are requested to implement the requirements of the aforementioned decision and the specific measures to be taken, emphasizing the need to comply with the following:

1. Take into account concerns regarding deficiencies in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) systems in countries classified on the "Grey List" (Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring), when conducting and updating the self-assessment of AML/CFT risks.
2. Apply the Risk-Based Approach (RBA), such that the application of due diligence measures is proportional to (risk analysis results, nature of the financial transaction, customer risks, and country classification), with enhanced due diligence measures to be exercised when high risks are identified.

Supervision Group
Palestine Monetary Authority

Copy: The Honorable Financial Follow-Up Unit

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Financial Follow-Up Unit
State of Palestine
وحدة المتابعة المالية dawlat filastin

Decision No. (2026/2)
Issued by the Financial Follow-Up Unit
Date: 2026/06/21

Based on the provisions of Law No. (39) of 2022 regarding the combating of money laundering and the financing of terrorism and its amendments, particularly the provisions of Article (20) and paragraphs (3, 4) of Article (30), and based on the decision of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism No. (8/J/2016) issued on 2016/12/01 regarding the delegation to the Financial Follow-Up Unit to publish the list of high-risk countries issued periodically by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and subsequently what was decided by the Group since 2020/02/21, until 2026/06/19, and in addition to the decision of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism No. (T/5/2020) issued on 2020/02/24 regarding High-Risk Countries and Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring, and subsequently to the Financial Follow-Up Unit decision No. (2020/1) dated 2020/02/25 and subsequent decisions regarding lists of High-Risk Countries and Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring. Based on the requirements of public interest, the following is decided:

First
High-Risk Countries List (Black List)
All financial institutions and specified non-financial businesses and professions in the State of Palestine must continue to apply the following procedures towards high-risk countries:

Country	Required Procedures towards Countries
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).	1. Apply targeted financial sanctions in accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree No. (2022/14) regarding the implementation of Security Council resolutions.
Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran).	2. Pay special attention to commercial relations and transactions with those countries, including companies and financial institutions, and apply the following countermeasures: <br> a. Apply enhanced due diligence measures on business relations and transactions with those countries (as part of countermeasures), in proportion to the risks arising therein, according to the details of Articles (26, 27) of National Committee Instructions No. (4) of 2022 regarding financial institutions, and Articles (24, 25) of National Committee Instructions No. (3) of 2022 regarding specified non-financial businesses and professions.

--- b. Apply the enhanced due diligence measures mentioned in paragraph (a) of this item when dealing with any entity acting on behalf of a natural or legal person, including companies or financial institutions operating in those countries.
c. Enhance the reporting mechanisms adopted by the financial institution or one of the specified non-financial businesses and professions, including increasing cooperation between employees and the rapid provision of data to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) officer within the financial institution or one of the specified non-financial businesses and professions, to ensure that no transaction or operation suspected of involving money laundering or one of the predicate crimes associated with it or terrorism financing is executed, and to report such suspicion to the Unit immediately and without delay, providing it with all data related to the attempt to conclude those transactions, while ensuring the confidentiality of the report and not notifying the client.
d. Do not establish branches, representative offices, or subsidiaries in those countries. e. Do not rely on third parties located in those countries to take any due diligence measures towards customers. f. Do not establish any banking correspondent relationships or similar correspondent relationships with financial institutions in those countries.

Country

Required Procedures towards Countries

Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar).

1. Apply enhanced due diligence measures on business relations and transactions with Myanmar, in proportion to the risks arising in the country, according to the details of Articles (26, 27) of National Committee Instructions No. (4) of 2022 regarding financial institutions, and Articles (24, 25) of National Committee Instructions No. (3) of 2022 regarding specified non-financial businesses and professions. <br> 2. When applying enhanced due diligence measures, it must be ensured that the flow of funds for humanitarian assistance and legitimate non-profit organization activities and financial transfers is not disrupted, especially regarding earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.

Second
Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring List (Grey List) Amend the list of Jurisdictions Under Enhanced Monitoring (Grey List) stipulated in the Unit's decision No. (2026/1) by adding (Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iraq) and deleting (Algeria, and the Republic of Namibia), so that the list becomes as in the table below.

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And take into account concerns regarding deficiencies in the AML/CFT systems of these countries (according to the attached appendix to this decision) when conducting the self-assessment of AML/CFT risks, including identifying, analyzing, and assessing those risks.

No.	Country Name	No.	Country Name
1	Angola	12	Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos)
2	Bolivia	13	Republic of Lebanon
3	Bosnia and Herzegovina	14	Monaco
4	Bulgaria	15	Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepal)
5	Cameroon	16	Papua New Guinea
6	Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)	17	Republic of South Sudan
7	Democratic Republic of the Congo	18	Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
8	Republic of Haiti	19	Venezuela
9	Iraq	20	Vietnam
10	Republic of Kenya	21	Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
11	State of Kuwait	22	Republic of Yemen (Yemen)

Third
Implementation
All financial institutions and specified non-financial businesses and professions must implement the provisions of this decision, and it shall be effective from the date of its circular.

Director of the Financial Follow-Up Unit
Dr. Firas Murad
[Signature]

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Concerns Regarding Deficiencies in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Systems

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Concerns Regarding Deficiencies in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Systems in Countries:

Part One: Deficiencies through Assessment Reports (for all countries):
This section explains how to access concerns regarding the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) systems of countries listed on the Grey List, as well as all other countries undergoing mutual evaluation by the FATF or peer groups. Those concerns can be accessed by reviewing the mutual evaluation reports related to those countries, and the follow-up reports subsequent to that report.
Mutual evaluation reports and follow-up reports published on the FATF website or the MENAFATF website contain all deficiencies and main conclusions regarding the AML/CFT systems of countries listed on the Enhanced Monitoring List and all other countries that have undergone evaluation. Those can be obtained according to the following mechanism:

a. Accessing mutual evaluation reports in English (for all countries).

1. Enter the website: www.fatf-gafi.org
2. From the Topics menu, select (Mutual Evaluations).
3. Select Mutual Evaluations Reports.
4. Search for the country name in English in the search window shown in the image on the side.

b. Accessing mutual evaluation reports in Arabic (for countries subject to MENAFATF evaluation).

1. Enter the website: www.menafatf.org/ar
2. Select the item (Mutual Evaluation) then (Assessment Reports - Second Round of Assessment), or follow-up reports.
3. Select the report from the list that appears according to the country name.

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Part Two: Implementation of Action Plans to Address Deficiencies
Countries listed on the Grey List have made a high-level political commitment to address strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT systems, and those countries are still implementing their commitments to address remaining deficiencies.
The items below outline the key pillars that those countries are working to address or have addressed, which depend on the specific deficiencies identified according to mutual evaluation reports and follow-up reports, which must be taken into account whether negative or positive:

Country	Key Pillars
Angola	Since October 2024, when Angola made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Angola has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime by enhancing its understanding of ML/TF risks. Angola should continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) improving risk-based supervision of non-financial banking entities and DNFBPs; (2) ensuring competent authorities have adequate, accurate and timely access to beneficial ownership information and that breaches to obligations are adequately addressed; (3) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions; (4) demonstrating the ability to identify, investigate and prosecute TF; and (5) demonstrating an effective process to implement targeted financial sanctions without delay.
Bolivia	Since June 2025, when Bolivia made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GAFILAT to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Bolivia has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime. Bolivia should continue working to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) ensuring relevant special investigative techniques can be used in ML investigations; (2) implementing risk-based supervision of real estate agents, lawyers, accountants and DPMS; (3) ensuring that breaches to beneficial ownership obligations are sanctioned; and (4) increasing ML investigations and prosecutions in line with the country's risks (including other high-risk predicates in addition to corruption and drug trafficking).
Bosnia and Herzegovina	In June 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Since the adoption of its MER in December 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina has made progress on its MER's recommended actions, including through developing an overarching AML/CFT strategy, developing guidance for FIs and DNFBPs on AML/CFT obligations, and improving the sharing and use of financial intelligence. Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by (1) further deepening its understanding of ML/TF risks, (2) adopting policies to systematically make use of international cooperation, (3) strengthening notary supervisors' understanding of ML/TF risks, ensuring consistent AML/CFT supervision of DNFBPs and imposing proportionate, dissuasive and effective sanctions on the banking sector, (4) ensuring that there is timely availability of accurate and up-to-date basic and beneficial ownership information, (5) providing targeted feedback on the quality of STRS, (6)

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Country	Key Pillars
	demonstrating an increase in investigations and prosecutions of ML, (7) demonstrating that effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions are being applied for breaches of specific crossborder cash declaration regimes, (8) demonstrating it is proactively pursuing TF cases and clarifying the interpretation of the TF offence and (9) ensuring its supervisors can apply the full range of effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of PF and TF TFS obligations.
Bulgaria	In October 2023, Bulgaria made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its June 2026 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that Bulgaria has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future. Bulgaria has made the following reforms: (1) implementing its national AML/CFT Strategy through adopting a comprehensive action plan; (2) addressing remaining technical compliance deficiencies; (3) demonstrating initial implementation of risk-based supervision for postal money operators, currency exchange providers and real estate agents and establishing market entry controls for VASPs and postal money operators; (4) ensuring that the beneficial ownership information held in the Register is accurate and up-to-date; (5) completing the implementation of the automated system to ensure more automated prioritisation of STRS; (6) improving investigations and prosecutions of different types of money laundering in line with risks, including high-scale corruption and organised crime; (7) ensuring that confiscation is pursued as a policy objective; (8) ensuring the ability to conduct parallel financial investigations in all terrorism investigations; (9) addressing gaps in the TF and PF targeted financial sanctions (TFS) frameworks; and (10) identifying the subset of NPOs most vulnerable to TF abuse and demonstrating initial implementation of risk-based monitoring to prevent abuse for TF purposes.
Cameroon	Since June 2023, when Cameroon made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GABAC to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Cameroon has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime by demonstrating an increase in dissemination of intelligence reports to support operational needs of competent authorities and prioritising seizure and confiscation of assets at the border. Cameroon should continue working on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including: (1) enhancing risk-based supervision of banks and implementing effective risk-based supervision for non-bank FIs and DNFBPs, and conducting appropriate outreach to high-risk FIs and DNFBPs; (2) enhancing secure information exchange between the FIU, reporting entities and competent authorities; (3) implementing policies and procedures for seizing and confiscating proceeds and instrumentalities of crime and managing frozen, seized and confiscated property; (4) demonstrating effective implementation of TF and PF TFS regimes and implementing a risk-based approach to NPOs without disrupting legitimate NPO activities. <br> The FATF notes Cameroon continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have now expired and work remains. The FATF encourages Cameroon

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Country	Key Pillars
	to continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible.
Côte d'Ivoire	In October 2024, Côte d'Ivoire made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GIABA to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its June 2026 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that Côte d'Ivoire has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future. Côte d'Ivoire has made the following reforms: (1) enhancing its use of international cooperation in ML/TF investigations and prosecutions; (2) improving the implementation of risk-based supervision of financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions and conducting outreach campaigns to improve compliance; (3) improving the verification and access of basic and beneficial ownership information of legal persons and applying sanctions in case of violation; (4) enhancing the use of financial intelligence by law enforcement authorities and improving disseminations by the FIU; (5) demonstrating a sustained increase in the number of ML and TF investigations and prosecutions of different types in line with the country's risk profile; and (6) strengthening the targeted financial sanctions framework.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO	In October 2022, the DRC made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GABAC to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its June 2026 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that the DRC has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future. DRC has made the following reforms: (1) finalising the NRA on ML and TF and adopting an AML/CFT national strategy; (2) designating supervisory authorities for all DNFBP sectors, and developing and implementing a risk-based supervision plan; (3) adequately resourcing the FIU, and build its capacity to conduct operational and strategic analysis; (4) strengthening the capabilities of authorities involved in the investigation and prosecution of ML and TF; and (5) demonstrating effective implementation of TF and PF-related TFS. <br> Given the current public health situation in the DRC, the FATF will monitor developments to ensure any on-site assessment can take place under safe conditions.
Haiti	Since June 2021, when Haiti made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Haiti has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by completing its ML/TF risk assessment process and disseminating the findings. The FATF recognises the political commitment expressed at a high level and the efforts demonstrated by Haiti to advance its commitment in the midst of the challenging social, economic and security situation within the country. Haiti should continue

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Country	Key Pillars
	to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by: (1) implementing risk-based AML/CFT supervision for DNFBPs deemed to constitute a higher ML/TF risk; (2) ensuring basic and beneficial ownership information are maintained and accessible in a timely manner; (3) demonstrating authorities are identifying, investigating and prosecuting ML cases in a manner consistent with Haiti's risk profile; (4) demonstrating an increase of identification, tracing and recovery of proceeds of crimes; (5) addressing the technical deficiencies in its targeted financial sanctions regime; and (6) conducting appropriate risk-based monitoring of NPOs vulnerable to TF abuse without disrupting or discouraging legitimate NPO activities. <br> The FATF notes Haiti's continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have expired and work remains. The FATF encourages Haiti to continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies.
Iraq	In June 2026, Iraq made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Since the adoption of its MER in November 2024, Iraq has made progress on its MER's recommended actions, including through applying market entry controls to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing important sectors, providing guidance and outreach to non-banking financial institutions and DNFBPs, introducing measures to mitigate the risks in the real estate sector, and enhancing authorities' understanding on how legal persons are misused for ML/TF. Iraq will continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by (1) enhancing its understanding of specific ML/TF risks and adopting appropriate riskbased preventive measures, (2) enhancing the detection of informal money or value transfer services, establishing a legislative framework for VSAPs and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of AML/CFT requirements, (3) ensuring FIs and DNFBPs apply TFS and PEP measures (4) increasing the quantity and quality of STRS with a focus on high-risk sectors and demonstrating an increase use of financial information particularly related to DNFBPs, (5) enhancing risk-based implementation of beneficial ownership measures, (6) pursuing more ML investigations and prosecutions of ML and reviewing sentencing in ML cases, (7) pursuing more TF investigations and prosecutions in relation to specific TF risks and addressing the technical compliance issues in relation to its TF offence, (8) developing a robust understanding of the NPO sector and the TF risks affecting NPOs and implementing risk-based measures while avoiding undue disruption or other

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	unintended consequences for legitimate NPO activities and (9) enhancing its ability to identify and combat PF TFS evasion.
Kenya	Since February 2024, when Kenya made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Kenya has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by increasing FIs and DNFBPs understanding of TFS. Kenya should continue to work to implement its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by: (1) improving risk-based AML/CFT supervision of FIs and DNFBPs; (2) enhancing the understanding of preventive measures by FIs and DNFBPs, including to increase STR filing; (3) designating an authority for the regulation of trusts and collection of accurate and up-to-date beneficial ownership information and implementing remedial actions for breaches of compliance with transparency requirements for legal persons and arrangements; (4) improving the use and quality of financial intelligence products; (5) increasing ML investigations and prosecutions in line with risks; (6) bringing the TFS framework in compliance with R.6 and ensure its effective implementation; and (7) revising the framework for NPO regulation and oversight to ensure that mitigating measures are risk-based and do not disrupt or discourage legitimate NPO activity.
Kuwait	Statement from February 2026 <br> In February 2026, Kuwait made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Since the adoption of its MER in June 2024, Kuwait has made significant progress on the vast majority of its MER's recommended actions, including adopting a new national AML/CFT/CPF strategy, further improving its technical compliance framework for TF and PF targeted financial sanctions, further enhancing its understanding of ML and TF risks and conducting risk-based outreach and supervision of financial institutions and DNFBPs. Kuwait will continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) enhancing outreach to real estate agents and DPMSs on STR reporting, including through distribution of sector-based indicators of ML/TF; (2) ensuring that beneficial ownership information in the registry is accurate, and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in cases of inaccurate information where appropriate; (3) increasing ML investigations and prosecutions in relation to cross-border movements of currency and BNIs.
LAO PDR	In February 2025, Lao PDR made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Lao PDR should continue to work on implementing its FATF action plan to address its

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	strategic deficiencies, including: (1) enhancing its understanding of ML/TF risks; (2) improving risk-based supervision of casinos, banks, and reporting entities in SEZs, including fit and proper checks; (3) enhancing the quality and quantity of financial intelligence analysis and spontaneous dissemination to law enforcement agencies; (4) ensuring that law enforcement agencies receive training and guidance on money laundering; (5) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions in line with Lao PDR's risk profile, with an emphasis on crimes with a transnational element that require international co-operation; (6) developing a national confiscation policy consistent with its ML/TF risks; (7) demonstrating that relevant competent authorities are taking measures to identify, seize, and, where applicable, confiscate proceeds and instrumentalities of crime in line with the risk profile; (8) monitoring FIs' and DNFBPs' compliance with PF TFS obligations; and (9) addressing technical compliance deficiencies in Recommendations 6, 7, and 10.
Lebanon	In October 2024, Lebanon made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime in spite of the challenging social, economic and security situation within the country. Lebanon should continue working on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies by: (1) conducting assessments of specific terrorist financing and money laundering risks identified in the MER and ensuring that policies and measures are in place to mitigate these risks; (2) enhancing mechanisms to ensure the timely and effective execution of requests for mutual legal assistance, extradition and asset recovery; (3) enhancing DNFBPs' risk understanding and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of AML/CFT obligations; (4) ensuring beneficial ownership information is up-to-date and that there are adequate sanctions and risk-mitigating in place for legal persons; (5) enhancing competent authorities' use of products of the FIU and financial intelligence; (6) demonstrating a sustained increase in investigations, prosecutions and court rulings for types of ML in line with the risk; (7) improving its approach to asset recovery and identifying and seizing illicit cross-border movements of currency and precious metals and stones; (8) pursuing TF investigations and sharing information with foreign partners related to investigations of TF as called for in the MER; (9) enhancing the implementation of targeted financial sanctions without delay, particularly at DNFBPs and certain non-banking financial institutions; and (10) undertaking targeted and risk-based monitoring of high-risk NPOs, without disrupting or discouraging legitimate NPO activities.

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
Monaco	In June 2024, Monaco made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its June 2026 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that Monaco has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future. Monaco has made the following reforms: (1) strengthening the understanding of risk in relation to money laundering and income tax fraud committed abroad; (2) demonstrating a sustained increase in outbound requests to identify and seek the seizure of criminal assets abroad (3) enhancing the application of sanctions for AML/CFT breaches and breaches of basic and beneficial ownership requirements; (4) completing its resourcing program for its FIU and strengthen the quality and timeliness of STR reporting; (5) enhancing judicial efficiency, including through increasing resources of investigative judges and prosecutors and the application of effective, dissuasive and proportionate sanctions for money laundering; and (6) increasing the seizure of property suspected to derive from criminal activities.
Nepal	Since February 2025, when Nepal made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Nepal has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime by addressing the remaining technical compliance deficiencies in its targeted financial sanctions regime for TF and PF. Nepal should continue to work on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including: (1) improving its understanding of ML/TF risks; (2) improving risk-based supervision of commercial banks, higher-risk cooperatives, casinos, DPMS, and the real estate sector; (3) demonstrating the identification and sanctioning of materially significant illegal MVTS/hundi providers, without hindering financial inclusion; (4) increasing capacity and co-ordination of competent authorities to conduct ML investigations; (5) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions; and (6) demonstrating measures to identify, trace, restrain, seize, and, where applicable, confiscate proceeds and instrumentalities of crime in line with the risk profile.
Papua New Guinea	Statement from February 2026 <br> In February 2026, Papua New Guinea made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Since the adoption of its MER in September 2024, Papua New Guinea has made progress on some of the MER's recommended actions including

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	operationalizing and strengthening the anticorruption authority, developing a national risk assessment and automating communication of UNSCR updates to relevant government agencies and reporting entities. Papua New Guinea will continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) improving its understanding of ML risks and endorsing the National AML/CFT/CPF Strategic Plan; (2) proactively seeking outbound international cooperation to identify and trace criminal property abroad; (3) improving risk-based supervision of banks, MVTS/FX dealers and higher risk DNFBPs; (4) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions; (5) demonstrating an increase in freezing/seizing and confiscation of criminal proceeds, instrumentalities and property of equivalent value; (6) conducting training for competent authorities to enhance their understanding of TFS-PF implementation; (7) addressing technical compliance deficiencies, including with respect to the ML offence, TF offence, TFS-PF, politically exposed persons and suspicious transaction reporting.
South Sudan	Since June 2021, when South Sudan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, South Sudan has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime. South Sudan should continue to work to implement its action plan, including by: (1) ensuring that competent authorities are suitably structured and capacitated to implement a risk-based approach to AML/CFT supervision for financial institutions; (2) developing a comprehensive legal framework to collect and verify the accuracy of beneficial ownership information for legal persons; (3) finalising the operationalisation of a fully functioning and independent FIU; (4) establishing and implementing the legal and institutional framework to implement targeted financial sanctions in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions on terrorism and WMD proliferation financing; and (5) commencing implementation of targeted risk-based supervision/monitoring of NPOs at risk of TF abuse. <br> The FATF notes South Sudan's limited progress across its action plan with all deadlines now expired and work remaining. The FATF again encourages South Sudan to continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible and demonstrate strong political and institutional commitment to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, particularly in supporting the lead AML/CFT agency in coordinating national AML/CFT efforts.
Syria	(Statement from February 2023) <br> 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

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	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 agreed action plan, due to the security situation, the FATF has been unable to conduct an on-site visit to confirm whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions has begun and is being sustained. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and will conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.
Venezuela	Since June 2024, when Venezuela made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Venezuela has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime by strengthening the independence and security of the FIU. Venezuela should continue working to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) strengthening its understanding of ML/TF risks, including in relation to TF and legal persons and arrangements; (2) ensuring the full range of financial institutions and DNFBPs are subject to AML/CFT measures and risk-based supervision; (3) ensuring adequate, accurate and up-to-date beneficial ownership information is accessible in a timely manner; (4) enhancing the resources of the FIU and improving competent authorities' use of financial intelligence; (5) enhancing the investigation and prosecution of ML and TF; (6) ensuring measures to prevent the abuse of NPOs for TF are targeted, proportionate, and risk-based and do not disrupt or discourage legitimate activities within the NPO sector; and (7) implementing TF-and PF-related targeted financial sanctions without delay. <br> In particular, the FATF is especially concerned about Venezuela's approach to conducting oversight of the NPO sector; the FATF calls on Venezuela to urgently consider whether certain sections of the November 2024 NPO law should be re-examined and potentially altered so that it is in line with the FATF's risk-based approach for supervision of the NPO sector and the FATF's best practices on Recommendation 8.
Vietnam	Since June 2023, when Vietnam made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Vietnam has taken some steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime. Vietnam should continue to work on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including: (1) increasing risk understanding; (2) enhancing international co-operation; (3) implementing effective risk-based supervision for FIs and DNFBPs; (4) taking action to regulate virtual assets and virtual asset service providers; (5) addressing technical compliance deficiencies, including

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	with respect to the ML offence, targeted financial sanctions, customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting; (6) conducting outreach activities with the private sector; (7) establishing a regime that provides competent authorities with adequate, accurate and up-to-date information on beneficial ownership; (8) enhancing the quality and quantity of financial intelligence analysis and dissemination; (9) prioritising parallel financial investigations and demonstrating an increase in the number of ML investigations and prosecutions undertaken; and (10) demonstrating that there is monitoring of FIs and DNFBPs for compliance with PF TFS obligations and that there is co-operation and coordination between authorities to prevent PF TFS from being evaded. <br> The FATF strongly urges Vietnam to swiftly implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible as all deadlines expired in May 2025.
Virgin Islands (UK)	Since June 2025, when the Virgin Islands (UK) made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, the Virgin Islands (UK) has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime including by operationalising the new asset management framework. The Virgin Islands (UK) should continue work to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) enhancing risk-based supervision of TCSPs, Investment Businesses and VASPs; (2) ensuring that accurate and up-to-date beneficial ownership information is available to competent authorities and breaches to obligations are sanctioned; (3) improving the quality of SARs and ensuring that reporting is in line with risk; (4) systematically pursuing ML investigations and prosecutions in line with risk; and (5) increasing the seizure and confiscation of criminal proceeds.
Yemen	(Statement from February 2023) <br> 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: (1) adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; (2) establishing procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets; (3) improving its customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting requirements; (4) issuing guidance; (5) developing the monitoring and supervisory capacity of the financial sector supervisory authorities and the financial intelligence unit; and (6) establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit. While the FATF determined that Yemen has completed its agreed action plan, due to the security situation, the FATF has been

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	unable to conduct an on-site visit to confirm whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions has begun and is being sustained. The FATF will continue to monitor the situation, and conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.

القسم الثالث: الدول التي تم حذفها من القائمة الرمادية.

الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
Algeria	The FATF welcomes Algeria's significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime. Algeria strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime to meet the commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in October 2024 by: (1) improving risk-based supervision, especially for higher risk sectors, including through the adoption of new procedures, risk assessments, supervision manuals and guidelines, as well as undertaking inspections and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions; (2) developing an effective framework for basic and beneficial ownership information; (3) enhancing its regime for suspicious transaction reports; (4) establishing an effective legal and institutional framework for targeted financial sanctions for terrorism financing; and (5) implementing a risk-based approach to oversight of non-profit organisations, without disrupting or discouraging legitimate activity. <br> Algeria should continue to work with MENAFATF to sustain its improvements in its AML/CFT system.
Namibia	The FATF welcomes Namibia's significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime. Namibia strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime to meet the commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in February 2024 by: (1) strengthening its AML/CFT risk based supervision through enhancing the human and resource capacities, conducting offsite and onsite inspections informed by supervisory risk assessment tools and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of AML/CFT obligations; (2) enhancing preventive measures through inspections and outreach to ensure that FIs and DNFBPs apply enhanced due diligence measures as well as TFS obligations related to TF and PF without delay; (3) increasing the filing of beneficial ownership information of legal persons and arrangements, and applying remedial actions and/or effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions against breaches of compliance with BO obligations; (4) providing the FIU with adequate human and financial resources, as well as trainings, to improve operational and strategic analysis; (5) improving the cooperation between the FIU and LEAs to enhance the use and integration of financial intelligence in investigations; (6) enhancing the operational capabilities of authorities involved in ML and TF investigations and prosecutions by providing them with adequate

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الدولة	المحاور الأساسية
	resources and targeted trainings; (7) demonstrating the LEAs' capabilities to effectively investigate and prosecute ML/TF cases; and (8) approving the amended National Counter Terrorism Strategy. <br> Namibia should continue to work with ESAAMLG to sustain its improvements in its AML/CFT system.