The Vanuatu Government has committed to strengthening financial integrity and its global reputation with the official launch of the Mutual Evaluation Technical Team (METT), a national taskforce mandated to lead the country’s preparations for the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Mutual Evaluation in November 2026.
This article originally appeared in The Vanuatu Daily Post.
The launch, officiated by Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Complex yesterday, marked what he described as a “national moment” in Vanuatu’s fight against financial crime. “This is not just a technical milestone. It is a national moment that reflects our collective resolve to protect Vanuatu’s financial system, uphold international standards, and demonstrate our commitment to transparency, integrity, and resilience,” PM Napat said.
He reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to meeting international Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) standards, noting that the upcoming APG evaluation will be a crucial test of the nation’s systems and institutions.
“The upcoming APG Mutual Evaluation is more than a review. It is a test of our systems, our institutions, and our national will. It will assess not only our laws and policies, but our effectiveness—how well we implement, how well we supervise, and how well we protect our people and our economy,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that the outcome of the evaluation will directly influence Vanuatu’s international standing, including access to correspondent banking, foreign investment, and development finance.
“This evaluation will shape how the world sees us. It will influence our access to correspondent banking, foreign investment, and development finance. We must be ready, and we will be,” he said.
The newly established METT is composed of over 20 senior officials from key institutions, including the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, the Vanuatu Police Force, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, and the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, among others. Private sector reporting entities will also participate as observers.
Under the oversight of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC), the METT will serve as the technical backbone of Vanuatu’s mutual evaluation process. It will coordinate national efforts, prepare key evaluation deliverables, and ensure every institution is aligned and ready for the APG assessment.
PM Napat commended the NCC and all participating agencies for their collaboration and dedication. “The Mutual Evaluation Technical Team is our engine room. It brings together our finest minds from across government, regulators, law enforcement, and the private sector. It will coordinate our national response, compile our evidence, and ensure that every sector, every stakeholder, and every standard is addressed,” he said.
He added that the government’s goal goes beyond compliance. “We will meet the FATF standards. We will demonstrate effectiveness. We will build a regime that is not only compliant, but resilient, inclusive, and nationally owned,” he said, calling on all ministries, regulators, and reporting entities to “own it, prepare for it, and deliver on it.”
Director General (DG) of the Prime Minister’s Office, George Maniuri, said accuracy and transparency in institutional reporting are crucial.
“As we all are aware, there are issues in terms of reputation and credibility in the eyes of international financial institutions. It’s important that the work we do in each institution is properly and accurately reported. That will lift transparency among us and also give confidence to our partners, investors, donors, and other stakeholders,” Maniuri said.
The establishment of the METT demonstrates high-level political commitment and national ownership of AML and CTF reforms.
PM Napat concluded, “Let this launch mark the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter of national coordination, technical excellence, and international credibility. Together, we will rise to the challenge. Together, we will deliver a Mutual Evaluation that reflects the best of Vanuatu.”
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