Premier to Join AG, Cayman Delegates at FATF Plenary and Engage Stakeholders in London

Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, the Hon. André Ebanks MP, will join the Attorney General, the Hon. Samuel Bulgin, and a Cayman Islands delegation to the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary in France on 12-13 June.

Representatives from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority will be part of the Cayman contingent taking part in policy and compliance discussions facilitated by the FATF as the global anti-money laundering, counter-financing of terrorism, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) standard-setting body.

"It is indeed an honour to lead Cayman to its third and final Plenary under the FATF Regional Bodies Guest Initiative. These meetings are an opportunity to participate directly as a guest member in the discussions, express our views and share our regional experience," Premier Ebanks said.

The Guest Initiative aims to incorporate views and regional perspectives from a broader range of countries at the FATF to strengthen the global fight against illicit finance.

The Cayman Islands is progressing its preparations for the FATF's 5th Round of mutual evaluation of our AML/CFT/CPF regime, and is committed to taking the necessary measures to bolster the effectiveness of our AML framework.

A mutual evaluation of Cayman's regime by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, which supports the FATF’s work in the region, is expected to commence approximately seven months prior to an on-site visit in December 2027.

"The first mutual evaluation—for any country—in the FATF's new round of assessments, under its revised methodology, will be discussed at this Plenary. Given that our own assessment draws nearer, this is an exceptional opportunity to observe the evaluation feedback of our global peers, contribute directly as a guest member, and discern useful insights we can apply going forward. We recognise there is a lot of work ahead of us, and engaging with our peers and the FATF helps our efforts to remain in good stead," Premier Ebanks said.

In addition, during the Plenary, a tribute to the late former FATF Americas Joint Group Co-Chair and former head of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority's AML Division, Ms Judiann Myles is expected to take place, which the Cayman delegation will have the honour to join.

At the conclusion of the Plenary, the Cayman delegation will stay in France to take part in a FATF Technical Assistance Peer Exchange meeting on 14 June. The Premier has been invited to deliver remarks at this meeting regarding Cayman's technical assistance framework. In line with the FATF's inclusive approach to supporting countries across the Global Network of more than 200 countries, the meeting will focus on capacity building to demonstrate the impact of AML/CFT initiatives and ensure sustained support for these efforts around the world.

Before returning to Cayman on 18 June, the Premier will travel to London for meetings with key stakeholders and members of the UK Parliament on 16 and 17 June, including UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP.

For the period of 10-18 June, the Acting Premier will be Hon. Gary Rutty MP, the Acting Deputy Premier will be Hon. Rolston Anglin MP, and the Acting Minister for Financial Services and Commerce will be Hon. Wayne Panton MP.