Capacity Development: AML/CFT Thematic Fund
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About the AML/CFT Thematic Fund
- The AML/CFT Thematic Fund is the pre-eminent global initiative for capacity development (technical assistance and training), assisting countries in strengthening the effectiveness of their anti-money laundering, and combating the financing of terrorism frameworks and bolstering the integrity of the financial sector and broader economy.
- Established in 2009
- Twelve partners, with more than $30 million mobilized
- Over 40 CD projects reaching 57 countries
Approach (Phase III)
- To deliver impactful and flexible CD, Phase III employs a combination of country-specific modular long-term approach previously established under Phase II, coupled with thematic short-term engagements
- MODULAR: Medium-term, tailor-made engagements for comprehensive reforms
- THEMATIC: Short-term targeted engagements based on themes
- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Medium-term design of CD tools
Results and Recent Achievements (AML TF III)
- AML/CFT Thematic Fund Phase III Sixth Annual Report (May 2025–April 2026) and Workplan for Year Seven.
- Passage of a new AML/CFT law in Bosnia and Herzegovina and amendments to AML/CFT laws in Tajikistan.
- Comprehensive National ML/FT risk assessments conducted in Bhutan and Jordan.
- Risk-based approach tools to AML/CFT supervision implemented in Guatemala.
- Enacted Law organizing the Financial Intelligence Unit in Haiti.
- Improvements to AML/CFT frameworks leading to the removal from the FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group’s (ICRG) grey list of countries such as Jordan and Uganda
- Launching thematic projects on emerging issues that benefited a large set of countries.
- The publication of two flagship research books:
- Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Good Practices to Enhance Effectiveness
- Unmasking Control: A Guide to Beneficial Ownership Transparency (TBO)
- These publications demonstrate the flexibility of the AML TF III in responding to emerging areas.
Global Delivery and Priorities
- AML/CFT CD is delivered worldwide, with regional distribution reflecting country demand and program priorities.
2026 Technical Assistance Catalog — Assistance Topics
- National Risk Assessment - Help members understand their risks and develop policy priorities
- National Strategy - Develop AML/CFT and financial integrity strategies
- Legal Drafting - Align the AML/CFT legal framework with international standards and good practices
- Risk-based Supervision - Enhanced risk-based supervision of banks, non-banks, financial institutions, and designated non-financial businesses and Professions
- Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) - Enhance the governance, structure and tools of FIUs
- AML and Corruption - Prioritize the AML framework to tackle proceeds of corruption
- AML and Tax Crimes AML and Tax - Prioritize the AML framework to focus on tax crimes and ensure revenue compliance
- Beneficial Ownership - To prevent misuse of entities for criminal purposes, ensure national or sectoral BO information is collected, accurate, and easily accessible
- Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and Financial Integrity - Ensure CBDC design include measures to limit criminal misuse
- Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) - Enhance the measures to detect and deter terrorism financing with a focus on fragile and conflict states
- Support to AML/CFT Conditionality - Quick TA intervention to help countries meet their AML/CFT conditionality under IMF lending
- Countries at Risk of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Listing - Quick TA engagement to address strategic deficiencies that could prevent an IMF member for FATF listing
- Illicit Financial Flows - Analysis of cross-border payments to detect ML risks and a diagnostic of AML/CFT measures to address non-resident risks
- Virtual Assets - Ensure proper regulatory framework for virtual asset service providers and appropriate risk-based supervision to prevent misuse of virtual assets for criminal misuse
Events and Outreach
- Safeguarding Economic Integrity: Confronting Corruption and Illicit Flows | Apr 15, 2026 @ 11:00 AM
- This session will provide first-hand examples of the IMF’s work on anticorruption and anti-money laundering as an essential component of the IMF’s mandate and engagement, along with a donor-perspective on this agenda
- Video | Safeguarding Economic Integrity: Confronting Corruption and Illicit Flows
Content in this bundle
- Annual Report and Workplan for Year 6 - June 2025
- Annual Report and Workplan for Year 5 - June 2024
- Annex A – Workplan for Year 2
- 2026 Technical Assistance Catalog
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY — AML/CFT Thematic Fund Phase III
- Annual Report June 2022
- Annual Report June 2021
- Phase 3 Program Document
- Phase 3 action plan
- Annual Report and Workplan for Year 4 - June 2023
- Annex B. Project Summaries
- Annex C. AML/CFT and CD related developments at the IMF
- Phase 3 External Evaluation report, Vol I
- Phase 3 External Evaluation report, Vol II-A
- Key Facts about the Thematic Fund
References