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The Financial Action Task Force has removed the Philippines from a global “gray list” but added Nepal and Laos for failing to fill gaps in their defenses against illicit finance by deadline.

FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo told reporters at the end of the group’s three-day summit in Paris on Friday that Nepalese authorities must prioritize completing an assessment of the specific financial crime-related threats now plaguing their country, pursue more cases against money launderers and crack down on unlicensed money remitters.

The Philippines exited the gray list after making “significant progress” towards addressing a range of shortcomings that came to light in 2019, including by cracking down on offshore gaming platforms and non-compliance at local casinos.

De Anda Madrazo said FATF has also launched a project aimed at helping countries disrupt proceeds linked to online sexual abuse of children, commenced a review of proliferation finance-related typologies, and, in a bid to boost financial inclusion, agreed on changes to the group’s official guidance for implementing a risk-based approach against financial crime.