Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering Secretariat agrees mission and reform actions, including relocation and ICT changes

The Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering said its Secretariat used a planning forum in Bowral, Australia, to reassess its purpose and priorities amid changes in its operating environment and to reshape its operating model. The forum resulted in an agreed mission for the Secretariat to deliver capable, sustainable and valued services that support APG goals, promote members’ interests and strengthen the AML/CTF environment. The Secretariat also agreed a set of forward actions to support that mission. These include progressing reforms to open up the Secretariat through relocation, an unclassified information and communications technology environment, and the development of secondment and external engagement frameworks. Input during the forum came from APG Co-Chair Mitsutoshi Kajikawa, Australia’s Head of Delegation Brendan Thomas and video messages from delegates from the Cook Islands, Malaysia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Kajikawa reiterated priorities around preparations for the Global 5th Round of Mutual Evaluations, strengthening AML/CFT/CPF regimes and international cooperation, and responding to changes in finance. Thomas highlighted member priorities of technical assistance in the Pacific, stronger support to counter predicate crimes, and greater capacity and representation for smaller jurisdictions. As a next step, Kajikawa said he would unveil the APG’s new office location during a visit to Sydney on 7 April 2025.