Background
The Government convened a national workshop to align relevant agencies with international AML/CFT assessment expectations as Cambodia prepares for a forthcoming FATF/APG mutual evaluation in 2028–2029. The workshop addressed both policy-level coordination and technical implementation tasks required for national evaluation readiness.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation mechanism assesses countries’ effectiveness in preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing through a structured country review process. The Fifth Round of Global Mutual Evaluations focuses assessment on Immediate Outcomes that measure the real-world effectiveness of AML/CFT systems rather than only technical compliance.
Institutional Role
The Trust Regulator (TR) participated in the workshop as the sectoral supervisory authority for trust services, representing oversight interests for fiduciary entities and trust-related reporting obligations. The National Coordinating Committee for Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing (NCC), chaired by the Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister, provides inter-agency coordination for Cambodia’s AML/CFT policy and mutual-evaluation preparations.
Key Developments
The three-day national workshop took place from 6–8 October 2026 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh. H.E. Keut Rith presided over the event, and attendees included H.E. Sok Dara (Director General, Trust Regulator), H.E. Santepundit Chhay Sinarith (Senior Minister), Mr. T. Raja Kumar (former FATF President), and representatives from relevant ministries and law enforcement institutions. The agenda targeted senior policy-makers and technical officers with sessions on FATF standards, Immediate Outcomes, and the FATF/APG mutual-evaluation process.
Implications for Compliance
The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of government agencies to prepare evaluation documentation, improve reporting and coordination, and familiarise officials with the Fifth Round evaluation methodology. Strengthened inter-agency coordination and targeted technical training were identified as preparatory priorities to support Cambodia’s compliance assessments in 2028–2029.
Official Source
Original announcement and event details published by the Trust Regulator: Facebook post. Additional Trust Regulator information is available at trustregulator.gov.kh.
