CFATF Executive Director Headlines Jamaica’s 14th Annual AML Conference

Jamaica’s financial community has convened for the 14th Annual Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Hybrid Conference, a two-day event designed to strengthen the country’s response to financial crime. The conference, held on October 14–15, 2025, brings together regulators, bankers, auditors, and compliance professionals under the theme “Securing Our Paradise: Collaborative AML Strategies for Jamaica and the Wider Caribbean.”

Key Details

The event is jointly organised by the Jamaica Bankers’ Association (JBA) and the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS), with sponsorship from Digicel Business and Symptai. This year’s conference aims to deepen collaboration between public and private sector entities across the Caribbean, reinforcing anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) frameworks.

The keynote address is being delivered by Dawne Spicer, Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). Her presentation is expected to set the tone for regional cooperation and compliance enhancement as the Caribbean continues to strengthen its financial regulatory systems ahead of the next round of mutual evaluations.

Day one features discussions with financial regulators and industry leaders, including Deno V. Cartwright, a Bahamian financial expert, who will close the day with a session on safeguarding regional financial systems.

On day two, the focus shifts toward corruption, governance, and cybersecurity. Danielle Archer, Principal Director of National Integrity Action, will address “Corruption & Governance: Safeguarding Institutions, Strengthening Accountability.” The event concludes with a presentation by Rory Barrett of Symptai, who will explore “Fraud, AML, and Cybersecurity in a Hyper-Connected World.”

Throughout both days, attendees will engage in forward-looking conversations led by professionals such as Carolyn Bell Wisdom, Partner at PwC, who will examine strategies to future-proof the region’s financial ecosystem.

Background

The AML/CFT Conference is one of the Caribbean’s premier gatherings on financial compliance, offering a platform for regulators, financial institutions, and stakeholders to exchange insights and best practices.

In recent years, Jamaica has strengthened its financial oversight frameworks in alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. These include increased reporting obligations for financial institutions, enhanced due diligence measures, and greater scrutiny of politically exposed persons (PEPs).

The 2025 edition of the conference comes at a critical juncture, as the region prepares for upcoming CFATF mutual evaluations, which assess how effectively countries implement international AML/CFT recommendations.

By hosting this conference, Jamaica reinforces its role as a regional leader in financial governance, signalling its ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance.

Quotes

“This conference is about collaboration, strategy, and readiness. As we strengthen our AML frameworks, it’s vital that the Caribbean moves forward as a unified front,” — Dawne Spicer, Executive Director, CFATF.

“Effective AML/CFT compliance isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it’s a cornerstone of economic stability. This event allows us to align regional efforts and share practical solutions,” — JBA Representative (opening remarks).

Analysis

The 14th Annual AML/CFT Hybrid Conference underscores the growing importance of integrated financial oversight across the Caribbean. With international watchdogs placing greater emphasis on AML/CFT compliance, Caribbean nations are being urged to modernise their systems, train compliance personnel, and improve inter-agency coordination.

The presence of the CFATF’s leadership at this year’s event adds weight to Jamaica’s efforts to enhance its compliance infrastructure. Furthermore, the inclusion of cybersecurity as a major discussion point acknowledges the evolving nature of financial crime in an increasingly digital economy.

Our Opinion

The conference marks a significant step in Jamaica’s ongoing mission to reinforce its financial integrity and position itself as a model for regional compliance. By fostering collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers, the country is strengthening its defences against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Sustained commitment from both the public and private sectors will be essential to ensure that the insights shared during the conference translate into actionable improvements across the Caribbean’s financial ecosystem.