Palestine Monetary Authority

Circular No. (2026/21)
To all banks operating in Palestine
Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Subject: High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring

Attached is a copy of the decision issued by the Financial Follow-Up Unit No. (2026/1) regarding High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring in accordance with the list issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Accordingly, the necessary legal measures are requested to implement the requirements of the aforementioned decision and the measures to be taken in this regard, 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" (Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring), when conducting and updating the self-assessment of money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

2. Apply the Risk-Based Approach (RBA), such that the application of due diligence procedures is proportional to (risk analysis results, nature of the financial transaction risk, customer risk, and country classification), with enhanced due diligence measures to be exercised when high risks are perceived.

Supervision Group
Palestine Monetary Authority

Copy: The Gentlemen / Financial Follow-Up Unit Respectfully

---

www.pma.ps

Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate - Palestine P.O. Box 452 محافظة رام الله والبيرة - فلسطين ص.ب info@pma.ps | Fax: +970 2 2415310 | فاكس | Tel: +970 2 2415251 | هاتف | Postal code: P6160675 | الرمز البريدي

---

Financial Follow-Up Unit

State of Palestine

وحدة المتابعة المالية
دولة فلسطين

Decision No. (2026/1)
Issued by the Financial Follow-Up Unit
Date: 15/02/2026

Regarding Lists of High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring

Based on the provisions of Decision No. (39) of the year 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 01/12/2016, regarding the delegation to the Financial Follow-Up Unit to list high-risk countries issued periodically by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and subsequently what was decided by the Group since 21/02/2020, until 13/02/2026, and in addition to the decision of the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism No. (T/2020/5/T) issued on 24/02/2020 regarding High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring, and subsequently all decisions of the Financial Follow-Up Unit No. (2020/1) dated 25/02/2020 and subsequent decisions regarding lists of High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring.

And based on public interest requirements, the following is decided:

First

List of High-Risk Countries (Black List)

All financial institutions, businesses, and designated 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.; 2. Pay special attention to commercial relations and transactions with those countries, including companies and financial institutions, and apply the following counter-measures:; a. Apply enhanced due diligence procedures on business relations and transactions with those countries (as part of counter-measures), in proportion to the risks arising therein, according to the details of Articles (26, 27) of National Committee Instructions No. (4) of the year 2022 regarding financial institutions, and Articles (24, 25) of National Committee Instructions No. (3) of the year 2022 regarding designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Islamic Republic of Iran

FINANCIAL FOLLOW-UP UNIT
الوحدة المالية للإشراف

1/3

State of Palestine – Al Bireh P.O.Box 3981 3981 فلسطين - البيرة ص.ب Tel: +970 224225512 Fax: +970 22422553 +970 22422553 فاكس +970 224225512 هاتف E-mail: info@ffu.ps www.ffu.ps

---

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

Financial Follow-Up Unit

State of Palestine
وحدة المتابعة المالية date of Palestine

---

b. Apply the enhanced due diligence procedures referred to 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 designated non-financial businesses and professions, including increasing cooperation between employees and expediting the provision of data to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Compliance Officer within the financial institution or one of the designated 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 this 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 customer.

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 procedures towards customers.

f. Do not establish any banking correspondent relationships or similar correspondent relationships with financial institutions in those countries.

---

1. Apply enhanced due diligence procedures 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 the year 2022 regarding financial institutions, and Articles (24, 25) of National Committee Instructions No. (3) of the year 2022 regarding designated non-financial businesses and professions.

2. When applying enhanced due diligence measures, ensure 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.

---

Union of Myanmar (Myanmar)

---

Second

List of Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring (Grey List)

Amendment to the list of Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring (Grey List) stipulated in the Unit's Decision No. (2025/3) by adding both (State of Kuwait, and Papua New Guinea), so that the list becomes as in the table below, and taking into account the concerns regarding

---

Concerns Regarding Deficiencies in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Systems for These Countries (according to the Appendix attached to this Decision) when conducting the self-assessment of money laundering and terrorism financing risks, including identifying, analyzing, and assessing those risks.

Number	Country Name	Number	Country Name
1	Algeria	12	Republic of Lebanon
2	Angola	13	Monaco
3	Bolivia	14	Republic of Namibia
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	Republic of Kenya	20	Vietnam
10	State of Kuwait	21	Faroe Islands (United Kingdom)
11	Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos)	22	Republic of Yemen (Yemen)

---

Third

Implementation

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

---

Directorate of the Financial Follow-Up Unit Dr. Firas Murad 15/02/2026

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

---

State of Palestine – Al Birih P.O.Box 3981 3981 دولة فلسطين - البيرة ص.ب:
Tel:+970 22422551\2 Fax: +970 22422553 +970 22422553 فاكس: +970 22422551\2 هاتف E-mail: info@ffu.ps www.ffu.ps

---

Attached to Financial Follow-Up Unit Decision No. (2026/1) Regarding Lists of High-Risk Countries and Countries Under Enhanced Monitoring

---

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

Part One: Deficiencies through Assessment Reports (All Countries)

This section explains how to access concerns regarding the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and Combating the Financing of Proliferation (CFP) systems of countries listed on the Grey List, as well as all other countries undergoing mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) or peer groups. Those concerns can be accessed by reviewing the mutual evaluation reports related to those countries, and the follow-up reports for this report.

Mutual evaluation reports and follow-up reports on the FATF or MENAFATF website contain all deficiencies and main conclusions regarding the AML/CFT systems in 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. Access to Mutual Evaluation Reports in English (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 shown beside.

b. Access to Mutual Evaluation Reports in Arabic (For countries subject to evaluation by the FATF for the Middle East and North Africa region).

1. Enter the website:
   www.menafatf.org/ar

2. Select the item (Mutual Evaluation) then (Evaluation Reports – Second Round of Evaluation), or follow-up reports.

3. Select the report from the list that appears according to the country name.

---

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 fulfilling 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 specific deficiencies according to mutual evaluation reports and follow-up reports, which must be taken into account whether negative or positive:

Country	Key Pillars
Algeria	In October 2024, Algeria made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MENAFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its February 2026 Plenary, the FATF made the initial determination that Algeria 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. Algeria has made the following reforms: (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.
Angola	In October 2024, Angola made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Angola should continue to work with the FATF to implement its FATF action plan by: (1) enhancing its understanding of ML/TF risks; (2) improving risk-based supervision of non-financial banking entities and DNFBPs; (3) ensuring competent authorities have adequate, accurate and timely access to beneficial ownership information and that breaches to obligations are adequately addressed; (4) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions; (5) demonstrating the ability to identify, investigate and prosecute TF; and (6) 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 by ensuring that beneficial ownership information is accurate and up-to-date. 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

مُرفَق بِقَرَار وَحْدَة المتابعة المالية رقم (1/2026) بِشَأْن قَوَائِم الدُول مُرتفِعَة المَخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعزّزة

Bulgaria	Since October 2023, when Bulgaria made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Bulgaria has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including in the last reporting cycle by addressing remaining technical compliance deficiencies including in relation to confiscation and demonstrating initial implementation of risk-based monitoring of NPOs to prevent abuse for TF purposes. The FATF notes Bulgaria continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have now expired and work remains to address its remaining strategic deficiency in relation to improving investigations and prosecutions of different types of money laundering in line with risks, including high-scale corruption and organised crime. The FATF encourages Bulgaria to build on its recent progress and continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiency as soon as possible.
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 designating an authority for AML/CFT supervision of all DNFBPs and by effectively conducting a range of investigations, including conducting parallel financial investigations and seeking international cooperation, and prosecute ML in line with risks. Cameroon should continue working on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by: (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 and demonstrating an increase in dissemination of intelligence reports to support operational needs of competent authorities; (3) implementing policies and procedures for seizing and confiscating proceeds and instrumentalities of crime and managing frozen, seized and confiscated property, and prioritising seizure and confiscation of assets at the border; (4) demonstrating effective implementation of TF and PF TFS regimes and implementing a risk-based approach to NPOs without disrupting legitimate NPO activities. The FATF notes Cameroon continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have now expired and work remains. The FATF encourages Cameroon to continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible.
côte d'ivoire	Since October 2024, when 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, Côte d’Ivoire has taken steps to improve its AML/CFT regime by improving the implementation of risk-based supervision of financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions, enhancing the use of

مُرفَق بِقَرَار وَحْدَة المتابعة المالية رقم (1/2026) بِشَأْن قَوَائِم الدُول مُرتفِعَة المَخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعزّزة

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

financial intelligence by law enforcement authorities and improving disseminations by the FIU and demonstrating a sustained increase in the number of TF investigations and prosecutions in line with the country’s risk profile. Côte d’Ivoire should continue working on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by demonstrating a sustained increase in the number of investigations and prosecutions of different types of ML offences in line with the country’s risk profile. Since October 2022, when the DRC made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and GABAC to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, the DRC has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by developing risk-based supervision plans for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions, addressing most technical compliance deficiencies with R.5, 10, 11 and 20, demonstrating its ability to conduct effective ML investigations and prosecutions and demonstrating effective implementation of TF and PF-related TFS. The DRC should continue to work to implement its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by: (1) implementing its risk-based supervision plan; and (2) identifying and investigating TF activities in line with its risks. The FATF notes that the DRC continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have now expired and work remains. The FATF encourages the DRC to continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible.

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 implementing risk-based AML/CFT supervision for all financial institutions; and ensuring the FIU has adequate resources and processes to produce and disseminate operational and strategic analysis to competent authorities for combatting ML and TF. 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 to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by: (1) completing its ML/TF risk assessment process and disseminating the findings; (2) implementing risk-based AML/CFT supervision for DNFBPs deemed to constitute a higher ML/TF risk; (3) ensuring basic and beneficial ownership information are maintained and accessible in a timely manner; (4) demonstrating authorities are identifying, investigating and prosecuting ML cases in a manner consistent with Haiti’s risk profile; (5) demonstrating an increase of identification, tracing and recovery of proceeds of crimes; (6) addressing the technical deficiencies in its targeted financial sanctions regime; and (7) conducting appropriate risk-based monitoring of NPOs vulnerable to TF abuse without disrupting or discouraging legitimate NPO activities.

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1) بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

	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.
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 strengthening the capacities of AML/CFT supervisors, adopting a legal framework for the licensing and supervision of virtual assets service providers and demonstrating a sustained increase in TF investigations and prosecutions in line with the country’s risk profile. 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 and implement TFS without delay; (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	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 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 cooperation; (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

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1)
بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

	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.
Monaco	Since June 2024, when Monaco made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, Monaco has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime on many of its action items, including by strengthening the timeliness of STR reporting. Monaco should continue to work on implementing its FATF action plan by: (1) enhancing the application of sanctions for AML/CFT breaches and (2) applying effective, dissuasive and proportionate sanctions for ML. The FATF notes Monaco continued progress across its action plan, however all deadlines have now expired and work remains. The FATF encourages Monaco to build on its recent progress and continue to implement its action plan to address the above-mentioned strategic deficiencies as soon as possible.
Namibia	In February 2024, Namibia made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and ESAAMLG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. At its February 2026 Plenary the FATF made the initial determination that Namibia 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. Namibia has made the following reforms: (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 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.
Nepal	In February 2025, Nepal made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Nepal should continue to work on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including: (1) improving its understanding of key 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 coordination of competent authorities to conduct ML investigations; (5) demonstrating an increase in ML investigations and prosecutions; (6) demonstrating measures to identify, trace, restrain, seize, and, where applicable, confiscate proceeds and instrumentalities of crime in line with the risk profile; (7) addressing remaining technical compliance deficiencies in its targeted financial sanctions regime for TF and PF.
Papua New Guinea	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 operationalizing and strengthening the anti-corruption 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,

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1)
بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

	including by conducting awareness raising to develop a common understanding among relevant stakeholders of the main ML/TF risks, including those associated with legal persons and the NPO sector. South Sudan has also developed AML/CFT/CPF policies and strategies informed by the results of the National Risk Assessment and accelerated implementation of plans to communicate the AML/CFT guidance to FIs. Law enforcement agencies, investigative authorities, and judiciary have been provided with the necessary resources (human, technical, financial) and training. 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. ; ; 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) ; ; 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 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.

9

---

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1)
بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

Venezuela	In June 2024, Venezuela made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime. Venezuela should continue working on implementing its FATF action plan to address its strategic deficiencies 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. ; ; 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, including improving domestic AML/CFT co-ordination and co-operation at the operational level. 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 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

10

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1)
بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

	FIs and DNFBPs for compliance with PF TFS obligations and that there is co-operation and co-ordination between authorities to prevent PF TFS from being evaded. 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 by strengthening fit and proper checks, ensuring basic information on legal persons is available to the general public, and raising awareness of how legal persons can be misused for money laundering and terrorist financing. The Virgin Islands (UK) should continue working 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; (5) increasing the seizure and confiscation of criminal proceeds; and (6) operationalising the new asset management framework.
Yemen	(Statement from February 2023) 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 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.

---

مرفق بقرار وحدة المتابعة المالية رقم (2026/1)
بشأن قوائم الدول مرتفعة المخاطر والدول تحت المتابعة المعززة

	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.
وقت مخرجات الاجتماع العام 2026/02/13، لم يتم حذف أية دول.