– Guyana to host major regional asset recovery and CFATF training initiatives later this year
GUYANA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism measures as a high-level delegation participates in the 62nd Plenary and Working Group Meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in Trinidad and Tobago.
The meetings, being held in Port of Spain from May 24 to 28, 2026, bring together regional stakeholders to address emerging challenges and compliance obligations related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks.
Guyana’s delegation is being led by Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and includes representatives from several key agencies responsible for the country’s AML/CFT architecture. Among those attending are Governor of the Bank of Guyana Dr. Gobind Ganga, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit Matthew Langevine, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit, Fazil Karimbaksh, and officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Gaming Authority, and other regulatory bodies.
The plenary discussions are focused on regional and international AML/CFT developments as Caribbean states prepare for the Fifth-Round assessment process under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) methodology. Key areas under review include strengthening institutional coordination, improving beneficial ownership transparency, increasing the use of financial intelligence, and enhancing asset recovery and confiscation mechanisms.
Guyana is also preparing for its own upcoming compliance obligations under the CFATF follow-up process. The country is scheduled to undergo a Follow-Up Report assessment in November 2026 and is expected to seek re-ratings in November 2027 as part of ongoing efforts to demonstrate technical compliance and effectiveness under international FATF standards.
During plenary discussions, Attorney General Nandlall highlighted concerns over the low rate of convictions and forfeiture of proceeds of crime across the Caribbean. He stressed the importance of greater judicial sensitisation regarding the interpretation and application of AML/CFT legislation.
According to the Attorney General, there is an urgent need for CFATF to establish a stronger institutional relationship with the judiciary throughout the region to facilitate specialised training and continuous education on the complexities of AML/CFT laws.
He argued that judicial interpretation in asset recovery and confiscation proceedings should reflect FATF methodology, international standards, and the broader objective of combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and organised crime.
Nandlall further suggested that judicial nominees should be invited to attend future CFATF plenary meetings to gain first-hand exposure to the region’s international obligations and the policy rationale underpinning AML/CFT legislation.
Earlier this week, the Guyanese delegation participated in several technical working groups examining mutual evaluations, compliance monitoring, operational cooperation, typologies, and technical assistance initiatives designed to strengthen the region’s capacity to detect, investigate, prosecute, and deter financial crimes.
As part of its expanding regional role in AML/CFT matters, Guyana is also expected to host several major initiatives in 2026. These include the ARIN-CARIB Annual Conference in July, which will bring together regional and international experts in asset recovery and transnational crime investigations.
Additionally, Guyana will host a CFATF Assessors’ Training Programme during September and October 2026.
The programme is expected to provide specialised training in conducting mutual evaluations and assessing countries’ compliance with FATF standards, while also building local technical expertise in relevant sectors.
Guyana received favourable results following its 2024 CFATF mutual evaluation exercise and is aiming to improve its standing further during the upcoming follow-up assessment process in 2027.
