End-to-End Guidance on the new FATF Evaluation Cycle

Module 1 establishes a clear understanding of the jurisdiction’s AML/CFT/CPF system through an independent, evidence-based diagnostic aligned with the FATF Methodology. It assesses both technical compliance and effectiveness, identifying strengths, weaknesses, risks, and dependencies. This provides the analytical foundation for reform and assessment readiness.

The diagnostic takes a system-wide perspective, examining how legal, institutional, supervisory, and operational elements interact and translate risk into measurable outcomes. The work combines desk-based analysis, targeted stakeholder engagement, and a one-week on-site simulation mirroring the depth of a FATF assessment. This process tests institutional coherence, evidence maturity, and the credibility of results.

Over a six-month engagement, the process produces a comprehensive diagnostic report highlighting compliance gaps, effectiveness constraints, and coordination challenges. Building on these findings, a prioritised project plan defines sequencing, ownership, and evidence targets. It serves as the operational blueprint for reform implementation.

Module 2 is the core implementation phase of the engagement. It translates diagnostic findings into concrete reforms, operational improvements, and measurable results across the AML/CFT/CPF system. The aim is to ensure reforms are implemented early and consistently, generating the evidence needed to demonstrate real results well before the onsite evaluation.

The module is delivered through a multi-year programme of onsite missions combined with continuous advisory support. Work is organised through four parallel Delivery Tracks addressing the core components of an effective AML/CFT/CPF system. Together, they translate risk understanding into legal, supervisory, operational, and policy reforms while strengthening coordination and institutional capacity across authorities.

Module 2 establishes the operational foundations needed for assessment readiness. Typical outputs include procedures and manuals, supervisory tools and risk models, training programmes and private-sector outreach, cooperation templates, and material supporting statistics and case development. Together, these outputs embed reforms across the

Module 3 prepares jurisdictions for the FATF assessment by transforming operational results into coherent technical compliance and effectiveness submissions. Built on the operational evidence generated during the earlier phases, these materials form the narrative and evidentiary basis for the upcoming assessment.

The module develops recommendation-level technical compliance materials and immediate outcome narratives. These link legal frameworks, supervisory and operational actions, and measurable results. Drawing on procedures, statistics, supervisory outputs, and case material produced during the capacity-building phase, the drafting process consolidates supporting material, develops illustrative case studies, validates statistics, and ensures consistency of positions across authorities.

Through structured mock interviews, onsite missions, and targeted stress-testing of higher-risk immediate outcomes, the module tests the robustness of the drafted materials under FATF-style questioning. This process highlights narrative weaknesses, evidentiary gaps, and inconsistencies between written submissions and oral explanations. It allows targeted refinement before the formal assessment.