View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

2/23/2024

FATF Advances Work to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing | U.S. Department of the Treasury

FATF Advances Work to Combat Money Laundering and
Terrorist Financing
February 23, 2024

PARIS — Today, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global standard-setting body for
anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), concluded its
fi h Plenary under the Singaporean presidency. The FATF made several key advances, including
kicking o a public consultation on potential changes to the FATF Recommendation on wire
transfer information and the adoption of new guidance on trusts. The FATF also noted its
concern on Russian Federationʼs growing financial connectivity with North Korea and Iran.
This Plenary follows recent announcements of key actions by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury to enhance financial transparency and combat illicit finance in the United States. “At
a moment when the United States is advancing historic initiatives to safeguard the U.S.
financial system, we commend the FATFʼs vital work to strengthen global standards relating
to combatting illicit finance,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen.

T REASURYʼS AML/CF T INIT IAT IVES
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson updated the FATF on
Treasuryʼs recent historic AML/CFT e orts, including operationalizing a beneficial ownership
information filing system, issuing proposed rulemakings to address vulnerabilities in the U.S.
residential real estate and investment adviser sectors, and publishing updated National Risk
Assessments on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing. These
e orts enhance and strengthen the United Statesʼ AML/CFT framework, further safeguard the
U.S. financial system from abuse, and strengthen U.S. and global security. As Under Secretary
Nelson stated before the FATF:
“This is also a moment of profound momentum for the United Statesʼ work to combat illicit
finance. Strengthening our AML/CFT framework—in line with the FATF Standards—is a top
priority for the United States. President Biden in his first year in o ice laid out ambitious
initiatives for addressing many of the systemic vulnerabilities in the U.S. and global financial
systems.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2120

1/2

2/23/2024

FATF Advances Work to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing | U.S. Department of the Treasury

In the past two months alone, Treasury has advanced some of our most significant AML/CFT
initiatives of the past two decades. This ambitious body of work demonstrates that we are
delivering on our commitment to strengthen and advance implementation of the FATF
Standards.”

FAT F EF F ORTS TO ST RENGHT EN GLOB AL AML/CF T
STANDARDS
The FATF advanced numerous initiatives this week, including to begin public consultation on
potential changes to Recommendation 16 on wire transfers, approving new guidance to aid
implementation of the strengthened requirement for trusts, and developing a table of steps
that certain countries are taking to implement the FATF Standards relating to virtual asset
service providers.
This body of work will improve countries implementation of the FATF Standards, prevent
regulatory arbitrage, and assist governments and the private sector with best practices for
mitigating illicit finance risks across sectors.

STAT EMENT ON RUSSIA
The FATF plenary reiterated its condemnation of Russiaʼs illegal, unprovoked and unjustified
full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. It expressed its concern about Russiaʼs growing financial
connectivity with North Korea and Iran and how expanded proliferation financing and
malicious cyber activities and ransomware negatively impact the global financial system. The
FATF called upon all jurisdictions to remain vigilant against these risks.
The FATF agreed that Mexico will become the next President of the FATF. The Mexican
presidency will begin in July 2024.
Click here to read the Outcomes of the FATF Plenary, 23 February 2024.
###

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2120

2/2