Suriname and Guyana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation during high-level consultations between Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Melvin Bouva, and his Guyanese counterpart, Hugh Todd, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Georgetown on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The discussions, which took place on the sidelines of the International Business Conference (October 14–16), focused on a comprehensive work program aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and infrastructure partnerships between the two neighbouring states.
Building on the September 2025 visit of Guyanese President Irfaan Ali to Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, both ministers outlined concrete action points to expand collaboration in areas of shared strategic interest. They underscored the growing relevance of the Suriname–Guyana corridor as an emerging investment and logistics hub linking the Caribbean, Latin America, and global markets.
Key agenda items included the Corantijn River Bridge project, the revitalisation of the Canawaima Ferry Service, energy and sustainability cooperation, and the operationalisation of sectoral committees under the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP). These committees—covering agriculture, fisheries, energy, and tourism—are expected to resume work on November 1. The ministers also discussed reactivating the Boundary Commission to address pending technical matters.
Both sides agreed to establish clear mandates and evaluation periods for ongoing initiatives and to convene another ministerial meeting ahead of the next presidential working session later this year.
The talks were described as constructive and forward-looking, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable development, regional stability, and enhanced South–South cooperation.
Minister Bouva was accompanied by Minister Andrew Baasaron of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation; Ambassador Liselle Blankendal; Deputy Director of International Trade Shailesh Ramsingh; and Second Secretary Lucille Starke-Esajas of the Surinamese Embassy in Guyana.
Story: Lawal Mohammed
