The Cooperative Republic of Guyana holds the ARIN-CARIB Presidency for 2026

From the Desk of the Presidency

Mrs. O'Brien - President, ARIN Caribbean 2026 Guyana has assumed the presidency of the ARIN-CARIB network for the year 2026; a crucial time as the FATF’s 5th round of mutual evaluations commenced just last year.

Asset recovery is a critical component of the 5th Round which aims to move beyond mere compliance and places much emphasis on the effectiveness of our AML/CFT systems. Regionally, there is room for growth in the area of asset recovery. Our network, once fully utilized, has the potential to play a fundamental role in increased asset tracing, freezing and confiscation. The implementation of best practices to enhance our existing systems can enable us to significantly increase seized illicit proceeds even when criminal conviction is not possible. Existing areas of concern such as transparency of beneficial ownership information, especially in this era of globalization, and emerging areas, such as the implementation of systems to regulate VASPs to prevent the abuse of digital assets, require our undivided attention as a network.

Guyana recognises the immense value of this platform as a mechanism for international cooperation, coordination, solidarity in combating transnational crime, and as a tool for securing justice through formal and informal tracing, freezing and recovery of assets across borders. We envision 2026 as a year not just of dialogue, but of deliberate action and meaningful collaboration regionally and internationally.

Asset confiscation facilitated by mutual legal assistance and cooperation are central to Guyana’s vision for our presidency. Under Guyana’s presidency, we will seek to deepen operational cooperation, facilitate greater exchange of intelligence and best practices, and build capacity across the region to ensure that justice is not only pursued but achieved. Together, we can ensure that ARIN-CARIB stands as a beacon of regional cooperation, a defender of justice, and a formidable force against crime in all its forms.

Diana O’Brien, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Guyana
President ARIN Caribbean, 2026

Diana O’Brien is the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Georgetown, Guyana. She previously served as State Counsel, Senior State Counsel and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions at the said Office. Mrs. O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations and a Bachelor of Laws. She attained the Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2011, and was called to the Bar in Guyana that year. Additionally, she is a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow (Fulbright Scholar) who studied at the American University Washington College of Law in the field of Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention.

Mrs. O’Brien’s extensive duties as Deputy DPP include appearing at the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal of Guyana, and providing legal advice and training to Public Officers in diverse areas. Her areas of expertise in criminal law include financial crime, human trafficking, environmental crime and maritime crime. She is versed in conducting research and preparing indictments, legal opinions and applications.
Mrs. O’Brien heads the Prosecution and Legal Issues Sub-committee of the Ministerial Task-Force on Trafficking in Persons where she has been a representative for the past ten years. She is also a Board member of the Poor Law Commission, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for the past five years.

Mrs. O’Brien represents the Guyana Presidency for 2026 along with Mr. Fazil Karimbaksh and Mr. Matthew Langevine.