GUYANA PARTICIPATES IN THE 62NDCFATF PLENARY AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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GUYANA PARTICIPATES IN THE 62NDCFATF PLENARY AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is participating in the 62nd Plenary and Working Group Meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) ongoing in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from May 24 - 28, 2026.
The Guyana delegation is being led by the Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC MP, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and comprises of representatives from several competent authorities responsible for Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
The delegation includes Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Bank of Guyana; Mr. Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); Mr. Fazil Karimbaksh, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU); Mr. Rommel St. Hill, AML/CFT Officer, Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs; Mrs. Diana O’Brien, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; Ms. Natasha Backer, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Mr. Jimmy Reece, Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Mr. Visal Stram, Legal Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources; Mrs. Narefa Ghanie-Mangal, Risk Officer II (AML/CFT), Guyana Revenue Authority; Ms. Alyea Williams, Legal Officer and Compliance Officer, Cooperatives Department, Ministry of Labour; Ms. Melissa Smith, Legal and Compliance Manager, Guyana Gold Board; and Mr. Victor Herbert, Compliance Officer, Gaming Authority.
The Plenary and Working Group Meetings focus extensively on regional and international AML/CFT developments, including ongoing discussions on lessons learnt from the Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluations as member states prepare for the transition into the Fifth Round assessment process under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Methodology.
Particular attention is being placed on enhancing effectiveness ratings, strengthening institutional coordination, improving beneficial ownership transparency, increasing the use of financial intelligence, and advancing asset recovery and confiscation frameworks across the region.
Guyana is engaged in discussions relating to its upcoming compliance obligations under the CFATF follow-up process. Guyana is scheduled to undergo a Follow-Up Report process in November 2026 and is expected to be assessed for re-ratings in November 2027 as part of its continued efforts to demonstrate technical compliance and effectiveness under the FATF standards.
During today’s Plenary discussions, the Honourable Attorney General underscored the need for improvements in the rate of convictions and successful forfeiture of proceeds of crime, which are unfortunately low across the region.
He emphasised the need for greater sensitization of the judiciary in respect of the interpretation and application of the AML/CFT legislation. He called upon CFATF to urgently create an institutional relationship with the judiciary across the region, that will result in training and continuous education on the intricacies of the AML/CFT statutory framework, as it is peculiar and oftentimes not properly appreciated.
The Attorney General emphasised that judicial interpretation in asset recovery and confiscation proceedings should take into account the FATF Methodology, international standards, and the broader objectives underpinning the administration of justice in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and organised crime. He noted that judicial appreciation of the policy rationale behind AML/CFT measures is essential to ensuring that confiscation and forfeiture regimes operate effectively and consistently with international obligations.
“Perhaps the time is ripe to invite nominees of the Judiciary to attend Plenary meetings, as this would give them first-hand insight into our international obligations and the recommendations which underlie the unique statutory provisions reflected in the legislation,” the Attorney General said.
Earlier in the week, the delegation participated in several technical working groups addressing mutual evaluations, compliance monitoring, typologies, operational cooperation, and technical assistance initiatives aimed at strengthening regional capacity to detect, investigate, prosecute, and deter financial crimes.
Guyana is scheduled to host, in 2026, a number of crucial regional initiatives and activities as part of its continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing national and regional security architecture. These include the hosting of the ARIN-CARIB Annual Conference in July 2026, which will bring together regional and international experts involved in asset recovery and inter-agency cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Guyana will also host a CFATF Assessors’ Training Programme during September/October 2026, through which participants will receive specialised training in conducting mutual evaluations and assessing countries’ compliance with FATF standards. The programme will include the training of several personnel from Guyana in various relevant sectors, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s technical capacity and regional leadership in AML/CFT matters.
Guyana was given a clean bill of health at the conclusion of the country’s mutual evaluation exercise carried out by the CFATF in 2024. Guyana hopes to fare even better in its upcoming Follow Up evaluation in 2027.
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