By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption amid rapid economic growth, as its efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability were highlighted at the United Nations’ premier anti-corruption forum in Doha, Qatar.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, MP, made the remarks while addressing the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which is being held from December 15 to 19, 2025.
In his address, Nandlall noted that Guyana’s economic transformation, driven largely by its emerging petroleum sector, has heightened the country’s vigilance against corruption and reinforced its adherence to international anti-corruption standards. He pointed out that Guyana recorded economic growth of nearly 50 percent in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing economies globally.
According to the Attorney General, the influx of petroleum revenues has made Guyana acutely aware of the damaging effects of corruption across all sectors of society, underscoring the need for strong institutional safeguards and global cooperation. He reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to implementing both the letter and spirit of the UNCAC.
Nandlall highlighted Guyana’s active participation in major international and regional anti-corruption and financial oversight bodies, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and the Egmont Group.
He emphasized that Guyana’s legislative and constitutional framework establishes a robust system of checks and balances aimed at enforcing accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. This framework, he said, places a high standard of responsibility on government officials, public officers, and state agencies.
The Attorney General outlined key institutions that form the backbone of Guyana’s anti-corruption architecture. These include an independent Auditor General’s Office that conducts annual audits of public expenditure and reports to Parliament, a statutory regime governing petroleum revenues with strong administrative and parliamentary oversight, a regulated public procurement system, an independent judiciary, and a free and critical press.
Nandlall also highlighted Guyana’s progress in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, noting that the country performed exceptionally well during its fourth-round mutual evaluation by the CFATF. He referenced international recognition received for a landmark corruption case involving a senior law enforcement official, describing it as a significant achievement in the regional fight against corruption.
Additionally, he disclosed that Guyana has intensified international cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance, including recent actions to accede to extradition requests from the United States in high-profile cases.
The Attorney General said Guyana’s participation at the UNCAC conference reflects the country’s determination to safeguard its economic future by ensuring that growth and development are underpinned by strong governance, transparency, and accountability.
