United Nations Resident Coordinator and President of Suriname Reaffirm Partnership for Sustainable Development

Discussions centered on joint priorities, including institutional strengthening, education, digitalization, and expanding access to health services across the hinterland and coastal areas. President Simons shared her vision for strong and inclusive institutions, with particular emphasis on decentralization, strengthening of institutions and advancing health system reforms. UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Kazana outlined the UN system capacities and specialized UN agency contributions, under the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) 2022 - 2026, both in Suriname and across the Caribbean. 

The meeting also addressed Suriname’s global leadership on climate change.  As one of the world’s few carbon-negative countries, Suriname plays a unique role in advancing global climate action. President Simons and Ms. Kazana discussed the importance of safeguarding Suriname’s vast forests and coastal ecosystems. Both parties emphasized that preserving biodiversity, investing in nature-based solutions, and supporting the livelihoods of communities are essential to long-term resilience.  The President also shared her perspective and vision for the engagement of the Indigenous and Tribal People of Suriname.  The UN Resident Coordinator underlined the importance of the land rights of the ITPs which is an issue always coming up prominently in the human rights fora. 

The discussions also looked ahead to Suriname’s active participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September. President Geerlings-Simons will address the Assembly on 23 September during the opening of the General Debate, and take part in a series of high-level thematic meetings, further amplifying Suriname’s voice on the global stage and contributing to multilateral cooperation and solutions that work for Small Island Developing States.  One of key issues that will be discussed in New York is the need to rapidly advance the reform of International Financial Institutions and deliver on the promise of the ABAS commitments in 2024 and the Financing for Development discussions in Sevilla in 2025. 

In addition to the meeting with the President, the UN Resident Coordinator met also with H.E. Vice President Gregory Rusland and H.E. Melvin Bouva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation. 

She also held sectoral discussions with the Ministers of Education, Science and Culture; Health, Welfare and Labour; Land Policy and Forest Management; and Social Affairs and Housing. These engagements underscored the UN’s close collaboration with Suriname’s leadership across multiple sectors.

Building on this week of constructive dialogue, the United Nations in Suriname will continue working hand-in-hand with the Government and people of Suriname to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind.