The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) played a prominent role at the 62nd Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Plenary and Working Group Meetings, held in Trinidad and Tobago from May 24–28, 2026.
The TCI delegation was led by Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, Attorney General and Chair of the Turks and Caicos Islands Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
The delegation included representatives from key agencies responsible for the territory’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, including the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Border Force, Financial Services Commission, Financial Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General’s Chambers, and the Anti-Money Laundering Committee Secretariat.
As the current Deputy Chair of the CFATF, represented by the Attorney General, the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to play a leading role in advancing regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The CFATF, comprising 24 member countries, serves as the Caribbean’s regional body affiliated with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and is responsible for assessing members’ compliance with the FATF’s 40 Recommendations.
Discussions during the meetings focused on regional and international AML/CFT developments, including lessons learned from the Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluations and preparations for the Fifth Round assessment process under the FATF Methodology. Member states also approved new procedures aimed at addressing unintended consequences affecting non-profit organizations.
Key priorities highlighted during the sessions included improving effectiveness ratings, strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing beneficial ownership transparency, increasing the use of financial intelligence, and advancing asset recovery and confiscation measures throughout the region.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is scheduled to undergo its next FATF assessment in 2028 as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining compliance and demonstrating effectiveness under international standards.
TCI officials actively participated in technical working groups covering mutual evaluations, compliance monitoring, money laundering and terrorist financing typologies, operational cooperation, and technical assistance initiatives designed to strengthen regional capacity to prevent and combat financial crime.
The territory has also intensified its domestic preparedness efforts, recently conducting standards training for more than 80 public sector officials. Looking ahead, the Turks and Caicos Islands will host the 63rd CFATF Plenary in November 2026, welcoming regional and international experts to the territory.
In addition, TCI officials currently lead two regional project teams examining the risks associated with virtual assets and terrorism financing across the Caribbean.
Commenting on the territory’s involvement, Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles said the participation of key agencies reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s financial systems remain aligned with evolving international standards.
