The Cultural Center of Suriname (CCS) was abuzz with youthful energy on Friday as it hosted the National School Choir Festival 2025. Organized by the Directorate of Culture under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (MinOWC), the event featured performances from eight primary schools and was part of the Srefidensi celebrations. President Jennifer Simons inaugurated the festival, emphasizing the transformative power of music in child development. She highlighted how music fosters creativity, cognitive growth, and academic success, urging schools to integrate music education into their curricula and encouraging students to nurture their talents. AVO Director Helima Poese also addressed the young performers, thanking parents and teachers for their dedication. She underscored the holistic benefits of singing, dancing, and sports, noting their role in promoting health and resilience. Charmain Belfor, Director of the Suriname Conservatory, described the festival as a cornerstone of initiatives aimed at inspiring youth to pursue music education. The event, targeting children aged 8 to 12, also provided practical opportunities for music students to gain experience. The festival marks the beginning of a celebratory period leading up to the Suriname Conservatory’s 15th anniversary in November 2026, with preparations now officially underway.
标签： Suriname
苏里南
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COP30 loopt vast: diepe kloof over afbouw fossiele brandstoffen
The COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil, have reached a critical impasse as participating nations remain deeply divided over the future of fossil fuels, the central theme of this year’s summit. Weeks of discussions have failed to bridge the gap between countries advocating for a rapid phase-out of oil, gas, and coal and those resisting such measures. The latest draft of the final agreement notably omits any reference to phasing out fossil fuels, drawing sharp criticism from a coalition of nations, scientists, and climate organizations, who argue that this omission is incompatible with the Paris Agreement goals. Small island states, European countries, and some Latin American nations are pushing for binding commitments to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. On the opposing side, major oil and gas producers, including Gulf states, Russia, and several African and South American nations, argue that a hard exit from fossil fuels would destabilize their economies. Instead, they advocate for emissions reductions and technological solutions like carbon capture, without binding production limits. Another major sticking point is climate financing. Developing nations are demanding concrete commitments for funds addressing loss and damage, forest protection, and compensation for the economic impacts of climate measures. Wealthy nations, however, remain hesitant to commit without broader participation from emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil. Host country Brazil has called for unity, warning that a failure to reach an agreement would severely weaken global climate action. However, the negotiations have been further complicated by logistical issues, a fire at the conference center, and growing frustration among participants and civil society organizations. The core of the deadlock is clear: while the world seeks to reduce CO₂ emissions, not all nations are willing to cut oil and gas production. Developing countries demand financial guarantees before making commitments, and wealthy nations fear legally binding obligations. Without breakthroughs on fossil fuels and climate financing, a robust final agreement remains unlikely.
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Column: Voorbereidingen op play-off tegen Bolivia per direct van start
Following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Guatemala, the Natio men’s football team, under coach Menzo, will face intercontinental playoffs in March next year for one of the final two World Cup tickets. Their journey begins against Bolivia, with a potential follow-up match against Iraq. As the team looks ahead, it’s crucial to dissect the factors behind Tuesday night’s defeat and strategize for future success. While the technical staff’s decision to alter the lineup raised questions—such as why Boëtius was benched while Jubitana and Chery started—the focus should be on the subpar preparation. After a stellar 4-0 victory against El Salvador, the team had five days to recover and prepare. However, the logistics were far from ideal. The squad flew via Panama to Guatemala, arriving at their hotel after midnight. A direct charter flight on Friday would have been less exhausting and provided an extra day to acclimatize to the 1,500-meter altitude. Despite the luxurious hotel, delayed meals and the growing presence of fans disrupted the players’ routine. The training sessions were equally problematic. On Sunday, the intended stadium was closed, forcing a last-minute scramble for an alternative location across Guatemala City. The team, escorted by heavily armed military jeeps, navigated through heavy traffic, arriving at a poorly lit field. The next day, training was canceled due to a waterlogged pitch, and the team had to train at a distant sports complex. While Natio’s preparation pales in comparison to European Champions League teams, it’s essential to control as many variables as possible. Looking ahead, the team must lobby to avoid playing in Guadalajara’s high altitude, secure a suitable hotel and training facility, and negotiate efficient travel arrangements. With these measures, Natio can ensure their next opponent doesn’t have the upper hand.
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Regering geeft SRD 1000 aan ambtenaren en kwetsbare groepen
In a significant move to support vulnerable populations, the Surinamese government has announced a one-time, tax-free payment of SRD 1000 for civil servants, individuals with disabilities, low-income households, and pensioners in December 2025. The decision, unveiled by the Cabinet of the President, underscores the administration’s commitment to social responsibility. While the total cost of this initiative remains undisclosed, the government emphasizes its focus on aiding the working class, which plays a pivotal role in societal functioning, as long as financial conditions permit. The payment is intended as a gesture of gratitude for the contributions of these groups throughout 2025. Additionally, the government highlights the need to prioritize vulnerable households, according to the Suriname Communication Service. Despite the country’s ongoing financial challenges, the administration deems it essential to provide such support. Since taking office, the government has implemented measures to reduce income tax on overtime, holiday allowances, bonuses, and gratuities to bolster purchasing power. Efforts are also underway to keep the prices of essential goods affordable. Furthermore, the administration is working to increase state revenues, ease interest and repayment obligations, control inflation, and stabilize the exchange rate. The government stresses the importance of collective motivation to build a more prosperous Suriname, ensuring well-being for all.
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Somoharjdo over intrekken perceel: De steiger is van het volk
The Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) in Suriname has officially revoked the allocated land parcel near the public pier in Leonsberg, previously granted to Sandiep Seemangal. The decision, signed by Minister Stanley Soeropawiro, emphasizes that the revocation was made in the interest of the public. ‘The pier does not belong to an individual but to the people. Minister Soeropawiro has taken the necessary action,’ stated Bronto Somohardjo, Chairman of the GBB Standing Committee, in an interview with Starnieuws. Somohardjo further stressed that the government, with parliamentary support, is committed to reclaiming unlawfully allocated public resources and ensuring that public facilities remain accessible. ‘We will no longer tolerate the privatization of public amenities. Wrongs must be righted. Boat operators will be protected, and the people’s access to the pier will be guaranteed,’ he added. The investigation revealed several critical issues: the parcel borders a public walkway to the pier, which has been in use for decades; its allocation obstructed access to the pier, disregarding existing infrastructure; the Maritime Authority Suriname raised navigational concerns; the land was largely overgrown with weeds and lacked any construction; and no compensation is due to the beneficiary as the revocation serves the public interest. A map confirms the 1,018 m² parcel’s location along the road to the pier, underscoring its role as a vital public access point.
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Boekpresentatie On(t)roerend Goed
In a thought-provoking presentation on November 19, 2025, legal scholar Carlo Jadnanansing unveiled his latest work, *On(t)roerend Goed*, a collection of 45 articles addressing Suriname’s complex property laws. The event, organized by the SJV, SJB, and Carlo Jad Fonds (CJF), highlighted Jadnanansing’s critique of the traditional interpretation of allodial property rights (aeeb) and his arguments for their continued legal relevance.
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Telesur vergroot internetcapaciteit met Orange
Suriname’s telecommunications company Telesur has joined forces with French telecom giant Orange to significantly enhance internet capacity in the country. This move comes in response to Suriname’s exceptionally high mobile data consumption compared to the region, driven by the burgeoning oil and gas industry and the increasing reliance on online and mobile transactions. International platforms like Facebook and TikTok have already established local servers in Suriname, which are heavily utilized. On Wednesday, two memoranda of understanding were signed between Telesur and Orange at the Courtyard Marriott. The first agreement focuses on Telesur purchasing additional capacity from Orange to support the growing oil and gas sector. The second agreement extends the collaboration on the Marowijne River data cable for another decade and includes plans to install a second river cable in the same region. Telesur’s director, Doric Ramlakhan, highlighted the nationwide surge in internet traffic, with user numbers in rural areas quadrupling since the introduction of 4G/LTE. The fiber-optic project is 70% complete, with over 60,000 households still awaiting the transition from copper connections to fiber. Foreign platforms have set up local servers to ensure continued access to services like Facebook during network outages. Beyond entertainment, including online gaming and streaming, there is a growing demand for business-oriented online services. Telesur plans to focus more on mobile payment systems, which are expected to grow rapidly due to the oil and gas industry’s expansion and increased tourism. According to the World Bank, Suriname ranked third globally in 2024 for mobile data usage, with an average of 73 GB per person, trailing Curaçao (131 GB) and Kuwait (84 GB). China leads in the number of internet users (1.3 billion), followed by India (1 billion) and the United States (324 million).
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Atompai en Sardjoe vormen nieuwe top Melkcentrale NV
Monché Atompai has officially been appointed as the General Director of Melkcentrale NV, a prominent state-owned enterprise. Previously serving as the President-Commissioner, Atompai had been acting as the interim director following the suspension of the former CEO, Dewkoemar Sitaram. Sitaram remains under investigation in connection with a large-scale fraud case that has rocked the company. The investigation, led by the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Herman E. Gooding Police Bureau, has resulted in multiple arrests. The scandal came to light after an internal audit and a formal complaint filed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. Preliminary findings suggest that substantial sums of money, amounting to over SRD 17 million, have been misappropriated from the company’s coffers since 2018. Meanwhile, Anuska Sardjoe has been appointed as the new President-Commissioner by the General Assembly of Shareholders, marking a significant leadership transition at Melkcentrale NV.
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Regionale handel blijft groeien ondanks Amerikaanse tarieven
Despite the recent imposition of broad import tariffs by the United States, trade between Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to grow significantly in 2025, according to a report released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The report, presented on Wednesday, indicates that the impact of the US tariffs has been less severe than initially feared. The value of regional exports is expected to rise by 5% this year, up from 4.5% in 2024, driven by a 4% volume growth and a modest 1% price increase. Mexico, the region’s largest exporter, is also anticipated to see a 5% growth in exports. The limited effect of the US tariffs is attributed to strong demand in the early months of the year, with American companies accelerating imports and building inventories in anticipation of higher tariffs. Additionally, robust trade dynamics among Asian economies have contributed to global trade stability. However, ECLAC warns that the outlook for 2026 is less favorable, with growth in international goods trade expected to slow due to reduced inventory buildup and potential new trade tensions. The export of services from the region is projected to grow by 8% this year, slightly down from 9% in 2024. Between January and August, prices for key export commodities from the region rose by an average of 1.7%, compared to a 2.1% decline in the same period last year. ECLAC attributes the upward revision in expectations to the strong trade momentum in the first half of the year. Currently, the effective average US tariff on Latin American goods is 10%, seven percentage points lower than the global average. However, the commission cautions that this relatively favorable position could change quickly due to trade deficits and geopolitical developments. ECLAC advises regional countries to diversify their trade relationships and deepen regional integration to enhance economic resilience in a world where trade policy is increasingly used as a strategic tool.
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Voetbal wordt leermiddel: Football for Schools van start
FIFA’s global Football for Schools initiative has officially expanded to Suriname, aiming to harness the power of football to foster not only athletic development but also essential social and life skills among young people. The program seeks to support schools in systematically integrating sports to promote personal growth, healthy behaviors, and active citizenship. By teaching students skills such as self-confidence, critical thinking, decision-making, teamwork, and respect, the initiative aligns with the goals of Suriname’s Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS), which views sports as a vital tool for comprehensive youth development. Jason Menso, Deputy Director of Training, Information, and Sports Development at JOS, emphasized the strategic potential of football in education. ‘Football is accessible and immensely popular. It can be strategically used to empower young people, which is precisely what Football for Schools aims to achieve: developing life experiences and competencies through sport,’ he stated. The program focuses on equal opportunities for all youth, including girls, and encourages talent development and societal participation. It also contributes to social cohesion and healthier lifestyles within communities. ‘By placing schools at the center, this program makes sports widely accessible and leverages them as a powerful tool for positive youth development,’ Menso added. A two-day training session for physical education teachers recently commenced at the Owru Cul Sports Complex, preparing them to implement Football for Schools in various schools across Suriname. The training familiarizes teachers with the program’s methodology, practical approaches, and underlying values, enabling them to effectively guide students. According to FIFA, international research demonstrates that Football for Schools helps countries address social and economic challenges through sport, in alignment with sustainable development goals. In Suriname, the program is being executed by the Surinamese Football Association (SVB) in collaboration with FIFA and UNICEF.