Back to Open Ownership map: Worldwide action on beneficial ownership transparency

Regions

North America

Canada is a leader in the region with its commitment to, and progressing implementation of, a publicly accessible beneficial ownership register at federal level. Canada has committed to using the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard to link the data that is collected in registers at provincial level. Open Ownership is sharing technical expertise and providing support to the Canadian government in delivering this, and works closely with civil society actors within Canada to generate and share evidence to support beneficial ownership reforms. In 2021, the United States (US) took a significant step for a central beneficial ownership register at federal level when it passed the Corporate Transparency Act. This law creates a new beneficial ownership information reporting requirement as part of the US government’s efforts to make it harder for bad actors to hide or benefit from their ill-gotten gains through shell companies or other opaque ownership structures. In December 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published the rule that governs access and protection of beneficial ownership data. FinCEN will permit federal, state, local, and tribal officials, as well as certain foreign officials who submit a request through a US federal government agency, to obtain beneficial ownership information for authorised activities related to national security, intelligence, and law enforcement.

Countries in the region

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Canada

    Open Ownership is providing support to authorities who are using the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard for the public federal register. We are also working with the province of British Columbia to implement a regional register expected in 2025, and with the End Snow-Washing Coalition on a project to amplify beneficial ownership transparency advocacy inside and outside Canada.

  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala

    Open Ownership, with the United Nations Development Programme and the Open Government Partnership, are working with Guatemalan authorities and civil society in their process to review and draft beneficial ownership transparency legislation.

  • Haiti
  • Honduras

    Open Ownership, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Anti-Corruption Hub, is in conversation with the Congress and Anti-Corruption Authorities to provide recommendations to its beneficial ownership transparency draft legislation.

  • Jamaica
  • Mexico

    Open Ownership (OO) is in discussions with the National Anti-Corruption System to initiate its use of the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard in the Public Procurement Beneficial Ownership pilot register. OO also co-facilitated awareness and advocacy sessions on private sector integrity with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

  • Nicaragua
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • United States of America