The workshop forms part of the country’s preparations for the upcoming fifth round mutual evaluation, an international assessment that will examine how effectively countries implement global standards to combat financial crimes.
Saint Lucia is stepping up efforts to strengthen its fight against money laundering and terrorist financing as key national agencies participate in a sensitization workshop hosted by the Attorney General’s Chambers in collaboration with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
The workshop forms part of the country’s preparations for the upcoming fifth round mutual evaluation, an international assessment that will examine how effectively countries implement global standards to combat financial crimes. Officials say the training is intended to ensure that Saint Lucia not only maintains the appropriate legal framework but also demonstrates effective enforcement of those measures.
Participants included representatives from the Judiciary, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Customs and Excise, the Inland Revenue Department, the Financial Intelligence Authority, and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. These agencies play critical roles in strengthening the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, Wendell Lucas, explained that the training provided local authorities with updated guidance on revised international standards ahead of Saint Lucia’s next evaluation.
“The fifth round is based on effectiveness, so that apart from having all the laws and policies and enforceable means, this fifth round adjudges your effective implementation that you’re actually doing the work,” Lucas noted. “The CFATF undertakes to work with all our member countries to ensure that they have a successful fifth round mutual evaluation.”
Against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions and global conflicts, the workshop also addressed emerging threats, including terrorism financing, and the importance of maintaining robust systems to detect, deter, and prevent financial crimes.
“While we in the Caribbean might be a bit sheltered, we are still exposed because we are a subsystem of the wider society,” Lucas said. “The standards have taken these factors into consideration, and aspects of them will be assessed during the fifth round.”
Permanent Secretary in the Attorney General’s Chambers and Chairperson of the National Anti- Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC), Juliana Alfred, emphasized that the fifth round evaluation will place significant emphasis on effectiveness.
“Saint Lucia will be assessed in 2028 and all of us need to understand what the changes are and what they mean for us,” Alfred said. “The focus will not only be on our legislative framework but also on how effective we are as a country in implementing these recommendations.”
According to Alfred, the evaluation will examine the effectiveness of investigations by law enforcement, prosecution outcomes within the court system, and the availability of critical financial information such as beneficial ownership data.
She further noted that Saint Lucia’s National Risk Assessment for 2025–2026 will incorporate new and emerging threats that could impact the country’s financial system. Strong collaboration among government agencies, regulators, and other stakeholders will be essential to achieving a positive outcome.
“The cooperation has been good. Having our partners here in such large numbers shows their continued commitment to the process, and that will make a significant difference in how we are rated for effectiveness,” Alfred added.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the Government of Saint Lucia and its regional partners to strengthen compliance with international standards, enhance inter-agency coordination, and safeguard the integrity of the country’s financial sector.
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