Suriname marked its 50th anniversary of statehood with a series of high-profile bilateral discussions, as President Jennifer Simons welcomed representatives from allied nations to the Presidential Palace on November 25, 2025. Among the distinguished guests were Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett, Prefect of French Guiana Antoine Poussier, Barbados’ Education Minister Sandra Husbands, and Brazil’s Minister of Planning, Budget, and Management Simone Tebet. Each conveyed their governments’ congratulations and expressed a shared commitment to deepening cooperation with Suriname.
Brazil’s Minister Tebet highlighted the potential for a ‘development boom’ in Suriname by 2027, emphasizing the need for strategic preparation. Brazil pledged to enhance collaboration in healthcare, energy, logistics, and cross-border connectivity between northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Meanwhile, Prefect Poussier discussed the finalization of a border treaty clarifying the Suriname-France boundary, which is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and address challenges faced by border communities.
CARICOM’s Barnett focused on agriculture, food security, and climate change, urging increased climate financing and regional transport improvements. Dutch Prime Minister Schoof reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to fostering an equal and respectful partnership with Suriname, particularly in oil and gas exploration, tourism, and education initiatives, leveraging their shared linguistic heritage.