“We support the Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) policy responses detailed in FATF’s paper on COVID-19, and reaffirm our support for the FATF, as the global standard-setting body for preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing,” a G20 leaders’ declaration published on Sunday stated.

The anti-money laundering authority reminded G20 leaders in a prepared written statement that as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, criminals and corrupt politicians have been “misappropriating funds and misusing government contracts for personal gain.”

“The hard truth is that, despite some successes, the vast majority of countries are failing to implement the necessary measures,” the FATF said, saying that it is time for G20 countries to show leadership by “going beyond rhetoric, and tackling persistent problems.”

Specifically, it urged leaders to increase investments to law enforcement so that they have the resources to follow corrupt money flows, provide up-to-date and accurate beneficial ownership information so that shell companies can no longer launder funds anonymously.