Tonga is supporting international efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Tonga was formally welcomed as the 29th member of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), at its 8th annual meeting, held last week in Cairns, Australia.

Tonga was represented at the Cairns meeting by the Governor of the National Reserve Bank, Mrs Siosi Cocker Mafi, and 'Ungatera Latu. The meeting ended on July 15.

A Press Release from the Tonga National Reserve Bank stated that

Tonga was admitted as a member of the APG on May 13, 2005, after its application was unanimously supported by APG members.

It also stated that Tonga's decision to become a member reflected its commitment to support the global movements towards combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Tonga has also ratified the international conventions and resolutions, which were part of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), established in 1989 by the G7 industrialised countries.