On Friday, a formal swearing-in ceremony for four newly appointed Surinamese ambassadors was held at the country’s presidential palace, where President Jennifer Simons administered the oath of office and issued clear guidance for the diplomats’ upcoming missions. The core mandate given to all four envoys, Simons emphasized, is to advance and protect Suriname’s national interests in all diplomatic activities, while working to deepen the nation’s international partnerships, unlock new economic opportunities, and strengthen Suriname’s global standing.
The four appointees received distinct postings aligned with Suriname’s diplomatic strategy. Gilbêrt Antoine van Lierop will serve as Suriname’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco. Aashna Kanhai has been appointed ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, while also taking on the role of permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Stephanus Meye and Stevanus Noordzee will serve as non-resident ambassadors to Israel and Argentina, respectively.
Addressing the new ambassadors, President Simons stressed that in an increasingly shifting global landscape, Suriname must continue investing in robust bilateral relations and proactive representation at multilateral international platforms. To advance the nation’s core priorities and long-term ambitions, she explained, the country requires skilled, committed diplomatic representatives who can effectively advocate for Suriname’s interests on the global stage.
“Your first and foremost loyalty must be to Suriname; this is your starting point: protecting Suriname’s national interest,” President Simons told the envoys, according to official statements from the Suriname Communication Service. She added that Suriname’s diplomatic work should extend beyond traditional political and administrative cooperation, placing equal focus on economic diplomacy, attracting foreign investment, expanding bilateral trade, and elevating Suriname’s international profile.
Simons also outlined targeted priorities for each ambassador’s specific region of responsibility. For the posting to Morocco, key areas for expanded cooperation include education, energy, agriculture, tourism, and trade. At the UN Geneva office, Kanhai will center her work on advancing multilateral cooperation, upholding international law, and advocating for a fair global trading system. For the bilateral relationship with Israel, collaboration will be deepened in agriculture, water management, technological innovation, and healthcare. For Argentina, Suriname will prioritize exploring new trade opportunities, building institutional capacity, and improving cross-border connectivity between the two nations.
Speaking on behalf of all four newly sworn-in ambassadors, van Lierop framed his appointment not as a ceremonial honor, but as a profound responsibility to serve Suriname and represent the nation’s interests globally. He noted that Suriname holds unique strengths and untapped opportunities that deserve greater global recognition, highlighting that the nation’s power and potential extend far beyond its natural resources, rooted instead in its people and its future trajectory. “The strength and potential of Suriname lie not only in what we have, but above all in who we are and who we will become,” van Lierop said.