Guyana’s security architecture being positioned in global spotlight – Pres Ali

– as INTERPOL to hold conference in Georgetown next year

The Guyana Government has been investing heavily in the country’s security sector, and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, this has positioned local security agencies in the global spotlight.
Speaking at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Air Corps recent commissioning of a new US$117 million Tecnam P2012 aircraft, the Head of State noted that the investments – both in assets and human capacity building – have already positioned the GDF as ‘the first responders of the region’ when Caribbean countries are hit with natural disasters.

Similarly, President Ali also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, pointed out that investments made to strengthen the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is gaining attention both locally and regionally. He pointed to recent recruitment advertisements by private security firms, where it was noted that advantage would be given to personnel from the various security agencies.
“And that is because people are looking on and they are seeing the investments that we are making to transform our human capital. And our human capital is also not disappointing us,” the Guyanese leader posited.
He added that during his attendance at the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Head of Government meeting held just last week in Jamaica, he was approached by several leaders across the region, who are interested in having the GPF not only train their new recruits but also source human capital in Guyana, train them here and then deploy them to the agencies in those countries for five years.
“This was not the case five years ago and our men and women in uniform must not take this for granted. The type of investments this Government has made in you and the infrastructure that we’ve invested in, is setting you apart. It’s now positioning you in global spotlight. And every aspect of your development, we’re going to continue to invest in,” President Ali declared.

Interpol conference
An example of that global spotlight is the fact that the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) is scheduled to hold a major conference in Guyana next year. In fact, during the recent CARICOM meeting in Jamaica, INTERPOL’s Secretary-General, Valdecy Urquiza, addressed regional leaders.
A CARICOM communique detailed that Urquiza reported on data shared by INTERPOL member countries and regional analysis, which showed that the rise of criminal networks, narcotics trade and a surge in firearms trafficking are three of the most pressing security threats confronting Caribbean nations. He reported that the IMPACS/INTERPOL partnership agreement now guarantees the continued presence of INTERPOL’s Liaison Office in Barbados, representing a renewed and sustainable framework for long-term collaboration.
Heads of Government expressed their appreciation for the INTERPOL official’s presence and perspectives. They acknowledged the existing and potential benefits of increased collaboration to deal effectively with major organised crime, as well as requested further assistance of INTERPOL with technology deployment and monitoring mechanisms to support border protection measures.
According to CARICOM, it was also indicated during the meeting that Guyana would be hosting the scheduled INTERPOL Conference in 2026.
This news, however, was first shared by President Ali back in February when he announced that Guyana will be hosting INTERPOL’s Americas Regional Conference in 2026.
“We’re investing in the best technology, the best assets and then soon, this year, we’ll have the annual Commissioners of Police Officers’ Conference in Guyana – the ACCP (Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police) …and then next year, we will have the INTERPOL Annual Conference in Guyana. This is not by accident. The global system must have had to see the improvement; they must have had to have confidence in our system before they made these decisions,” President Ali had stated at the opening of the GPF’s Annual Officers’ Conference earlier this year. The Head of State had pointed out that partnership and collaboration – at the national, regional and international levels – are key to the development and future of the GPF.
In addition to partners across the Caribbean, Guyana already has strong cooperation with police forces in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), India, Brazil, Canada, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Meanwhile, only recently, Guyana’s Police Academy received international accreditation – something which regional partners are also benefitting from. Additionally, the GPF is expect to establish a Tourism Department, Behaviour Unit and an Oil and Gas Unit, as well as a unit to deal with Artificial Intelligence (AI), and boost its digital, forensic and cyber capabilities this year.