By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
THE Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has expanded its global network by adding Barbados, Namibia and Thailand to its Guest Initiative.
The Guest Initiative focuses on regions of the globe that currently do not have many FATF members involved in their regional bodies as joint members.
Barbados, Namibia and Thailand, who are all members of FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs) will participate under their own flags in the FATF Plenary and Working Group Meetings for a one-year Plenary cycle, starting with the upcoming October 2026 Plenary.
“Through the initiative, these jurisdictions are encouraged to input directly into the FATF’s work, while also promoting further engagement within their region,” the FATF said.
“Thanks to these insights, the FATF can better inform its work to address challenges faced across the Global Network of more than 200 jurisdictions.”
FATF President Giles Thomson said the initiative had “enriched the FATF’s discussions” over the past two years by bringing participating jurisdictions’ experience directly to the table.
“I look forward to welcoming colleagues from Barbados, Namibia and Thailand as guests at the FATF and to their contributions in support of the FATF’s and Global Network’s priorities,” he said.
Barbados Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams said the iniatitive is “an avenue to contribute to the thinking and work of the organisation”.
Bryan Eiseb, director of Namibia’s Financial Intelligence Centre, said the country will “contribute and share our domestic and Southern African regional perspectives”.
Theppasu Bavornchotidara, secretary-general of Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office, said the initiative is “a welcome opportunity to share our on-the-ground experiences from the Asia-Pacific and learn from others”.
Barbados, Namibia and Thailand follow the Cayman Islands, Senegal, Kenya, Jamaica and Nigeria, which have previously participated in the initiative.
The FATF launched the Guest Initiative in 2024 to increase the voice and participation of FSRBs in its work.
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