Central Bank of Myanmar objects to Basel AML Index 2025 ranking that places Myanmar as highest-risk jurisdiction

The Central Bank of Myanmar published a statement objecting to the Basel Institute on Governance’s Basel AML Index 2025, which ranked Myanmar as the highest-risk country among 177 jurisdictions. The statement argues the index does not adequately reflect Myanmar’s progress against Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and notes that Myanmar is subject to enhanced due diligence, not FATF countermeasures. Citing Myanmar’s Mutual Evaluation Report, the statement says technical compliance had improved on 26 of the 40 FATF Recommendations as of 2025, while some remaining action plan items were not completed on time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related circumstances. It describes ongoing engagement with the Asia Pacific Joint Group through four‑monthly progress reports, face‑to‑face meetings and participation in FATF plenaries, and points to FATF acknowledgement of reforms including strengthened understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing risks, amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Law and the Trust Law, and enactment of the Assets Preservation and Management Law. Following the FATF Plenary in Paris in October 2025, the statement says FATF reduced Myanmar’s outstanding recommended actions from eight to four, while retaining Myanmar under enhanced due diligence. Myanmar said relevant ministries have set timelines to complete the four remaining actions, and it will continue periodic reporting and engagement through the FATF/APJG processes.