Attorney General and Minister of Justice Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, has returned to Bermuda after leading a multi-agency delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for high-level meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), held from 25 to 30 May 2025.

The sessions brought together regional counterparts to advance cooperation in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and related financial crimes.

The meetings concluded the CFATF's Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluations and initiated preparations for the upcoming Fifth Round, which is expected to begin later this year.

Minister Wilkerson's participation reaffirmed Bermuda's position as a committed and engaged jurisdiction in the global effort to uphold international financial standards.

“As the Minister responsible under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997 for Bermuda's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) regime, it is essential that I remain directly involved in regional dialogue on these matters," said Minister Wilkerson.

"The discussions in Trinidad were both strategic and technical, and provided valuable direction for jurisdictions preparing for future evaluations."

CFATF is a regional, FATF-style body that assesses compliance with the FATF's 40 Recommendations, internationally recognised benchmarks for AML/ATF systems. Member states undergo mutual evaluations to measure technical adherence and operational effectiveness.

Bermuda continues to be recognised as a leader in this space. The 2019 mutual evaluation report ranked Bermuda sixth globally for overall effectiveness and confirmed complete or high levels of compliance across key areas, including risk assessment, regulatory supervision, and international cooperation.

"Bermuda has built a regulatory framework that meets and, in many areas, exceeds international expectations," Minister Wilkerson noted. "Nevertheless, as risks evolve, so must our policies. This forum allowed us to benchmark our work, assess upcoming reforms, and learn from peer jurisdictions."

During the conference, the Minister and Bermuda's delegation participated in technical discussions on mutual evaluation reports of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, sessions on regional trends, and International Cooperation Review Group meetings.

Delegates from 25 member states and observers such as the FATF Secretariat, the World Bank, and the United Nations were also present.

The CFATF meetings also informed Bermuda's legislative agenda, including anticipated updates to reinforce the Island's AML/ATF infrastructure. These efforts are coordinated through the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NAMLC), which plays a central role in risk-based policy development and regulatory alignment.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the trip, Minister Wilkerson added: "Our participation is not symbolic. It is a deliberate and necessary part of how Bermuda maintains its credibility as a premier international financial centre.

“We must remain active in these discussions to protect our jurisdiction and ensure continued compliance at the highest levels."