AGP Executive Report

Community-Led Renewal: In Rio’s Morro do Turano, residents are fighting abandonment at “Pedacinho do Céu” (“Little Piece of Heaven”), tackling landslide and flooding risks blamed on neglect, poor waste collection, and polluted waterways. Public Health Security Push: CARICOM, the UN and UNDP have formally launched a shared regional plan to treat crime and violence as a public health emergency, with a diagnostic document and a framework for action spanning health, education, justice, and social protection. Regional Diplomacy in Motion: CARICOM’s foreign ministers wrapped up COFCOR in Paramaribo, with Suriname’s Melvin Bouva calling for practical, people-centred foreign policy outcomes and a unified regional voice. Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting key intra-Caribbean routes, including Suriname links, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe—reshaping travel options for business and diaspora travellers. Sports Spotlight: Trinidad and Tobago’s track cyclists Teniel Campbell, Syndel Samaroo and Tariq Woods dominated at the national championships in Couva.

Cycling Triumph: Trinidad and Tobago’s Aleix/PSL rider Campbell swept both the Individual Pursuit and 1km Time Trial at the T&T Cycling Federation National Track Championships in Couva, adding another Suriname-linked highlight with Tachana Dalger taking bronze in the time trial. US–Suriname Ties: The U.S. says it sees oil-rich Suriname as a strategic geographic ally, telling a Surinamese cabinet team aboard the USS Nimitz that diplomatic, economic and military partnership should deepen. Aviation Cuts: Caribbean Airlines will stop Suriname routes from June 1 and cut other services, shrinking direct links between the Eastern Caribbean and northern South America. CARICOM Diplomacy: At COFCOR in Paramaribo, CARICOM’s Carla Barnett urged a unified regional voice amid “hemispheric and global shifts,” while incoming COFCOR chair Melvin Bouva pushed for practical, people-centred foreign policy outcomes. Regional Crime Cooperation: CARICOM IMPACS and the Crime Stoppers Foundation formalised a framework for secure anonymous reporting to support crime prevention across the Caribbean.

Aviation Cuts Hit Intra-Caribbean Links: Caribbean Airlines will stop flights between Dominica and Suriname, St. Kitts and Suriname, and Ogle (Guyana) and Suriname from June 1, while trimming Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice-weekly service—reducing key nonstop routes for business travel and the diaspora. CARICOM Diplomacy Push: At the 29th COFCOR meeting in Paramaribo, CARICOM’s Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett urged foreign ministers to coordinate for a “united voice” amid “hemispheric and global shifts,” while incoming COFCOR Chair Melvin Bouva said foreign policy must deliver practical, people-centred results. Crime Prevention Partnership: CARICOM IMPACS and the Crime Stoppers for the Caribbean, Bermuda and Latin America (CBLA) Crime Stoppers Foundation signed an MoU to strengthen secure information-sharing and anonymous reporting against transnational organised crime. Regional Security Focus: St. Kitts and Nevis formally handed over COFCOR chairmanship to Suriname’s Bouva, with outgoing chair Denzil Douglas stressing solidarity—especially on Haiti. Suriname-Linked Health Win: WHO World Health Assembly updates include Suriname credited for malaria elimination.

India–Netherlands Push: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May visit to the Netherlands is being framed as a leap to a “strategic partnership,” with new cooperation promised in semiconductors, green energy, water management, defence, and mobility—plus a focus on the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge.” Suriname in CARICOM: In Paramaribo, St. Kitts and Nevis wrapped up its CARICOM COFCOR chairmanship and handed the role to Suriname’s foreign minister, Melvin Bouva, as ministers also tackled regional foreign-policy coordination and climate resilience. Telecom Upgrade for Suriname: Telesur says it has selected Squire Technologies to advance BSS/OSS integration across its network, building on decades of telecom support for schools, disaster response, and connectivity. Justice Watch (Netherlands): A Rotterdam court convicted Ridouan Taghi’s lawyer Inez Weski but did not send her back to jail after a procedural breach reduced her sentence. Health & Policy: WHO marked malaria elimination progress for Suriname at the World Health Assembly, while negotiations continued on the Pandemic Agreement’s pathogen-sharing framework.

Dutch Slavery Reckoning: Dutch PM Rob Jetten faced a blunt reparations demand during a Curaçao visit to Museo Tula, after the Netherlands abstained on a UN slavery resolution—Jetten admitted coordination with Suriname and the wider Kingdom “should have been handled much better.” Courtroom Twist: In the Netherlands, a Rotterdam court convicted Taghi lawyer Inez Weski but did not send her back to jail, cutting her sentence to 42 days after a procedural breach involving confidential client material. Suriname-Linked Energy & Mining: In Suriname’s orbit, APA Corporation declared a cash dividend while Canadian explorer Founders Metals reported high-grade gold hits from deep auger drilling at its Antino project, with the target still open at depth. Regional Diplomacy: CARICOM foreign ministers met in Suriname, as Suriname’s foreign minister pushed a cooperation agenda with Venezuela covering energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism. Food & Agriculture: Caribbean Week of Agriculture returns to Jamaica for its 20th edition, with a launch event set for May 21.

India-Netherlands Diplomacy: PM Narendra Modi’s five-nation tour is pushing a tighter India–Netherlands “strategic partnership,” with talks and events in The Hague focused on defence, semiconductors, innovation, water management, and diaspora links—while Dutch PM Rob Jetten flagged the Strait of Hormuz closure as a driver of energy-price pain for both countries. Caribbean Regional Pulse: Foreign ministers from CARICOM met in Suriname, as the region also prepares for the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica. Suriname in the Background: Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva wrapped up a Caracas agenda aimed at new cooperation deals in energy, agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Mining & Environment Watch: In Suriname’s gold sector, Founders Metals reported high-grade Maria Geralda deep auger results; elsewhere, a new report warns rainforest extraction is pushing major biomes toward breaking point. Business Brief: APA Corporation declared a cash dividend, while CIBC Caribbean highlighted record-setting financing activity across the region in 2025.

CARICOM Diplomacy in Suriname: Foreign ministers from across the Caribbean are meeting in Suriname, with regional cooperation on the agenda. Dutch Slavery Reckoning: A new book argues the number of people enslaved in Dutch colonies was far higher than the official apology figure, pointing to the Indian Ocean slave trade and generations born into slavery. Gold Exploration Update (Suriname): Founders Metals reported fresh deep auger drilling results at its Maria Geralda target in the Antino Gold Project, including 30.0m at 4.64 g/t Au and 12.0m at 10.57 g/t Au, saying the gold shoot remains open at depth. Rainforest Pressure: A report warns that rising demands for minerals, biofuels and pulp are pushing rainforests toward breaking point, with mining and road-building driving major knock-on damage. Energy & Food Stress: Ongoing conflict and climate-linked shocks are keeping pressure on oil markets and hunger risk worldwide.

Rainforest Pressure: A new report warns Amazon and other forests are nearing “breaking point” as fresh demands for critical minerals, biofuels and pulp pile onto cattle ranching, monocrops, oil and logging—mining’s wider impacts include polluted water and new roads that open up more land. Energy Shock: With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, oil and gas markets stay volatile even if fighting stops, pushing governments to accelerate renewables. Court Update: In the Netherlands, an 81-year-old man serving a life sentence for ordering murders in the US has been denied immediate release despite acute leukaemia. AI Adoption Map: The UAE leads AI use among working-age adults, while the US lags in everyday uptake despite leading AI development. Suriname Angle: Suriname’s ties with Venezuela and broader regional cooperation remain in focus, while Suriname is also named among countries adopting cleaner drug-manufacturing standards. Diaspora & Diplomacy: India’s PM Modi used a Netherlands visit to expand cooperation and highlight the Surinamese-Hindustani community.

Energy Markets: Iran-linked conflict is again rattling oil and gas flows, with analysts warning the damage could linger even after any ceasefire, as markets struggle to stabilize supply routes and infrastructure. AI Adoption: A new 2026 country map shows AI use is surging—UAE leads at 70% of working-age adults using AI regularly, while the U.S. trails despite leading AI development. Health & Mortality: A global health explainer revisits the question “How am I going to die?” tying top death causes to age, lifestyle, and access to care. Suriname–Region Diplomacy: Suriname’s foreign minister says a Caracas work agenda is set up for new agreements, including energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism. India–Netherlands Spotlight: PM Modi’s Netherlands visit is framed as a “strategic partnership” push—tech, semiconductors, water management and defence—while he also highlighted Surinamese-Hindustani diaspora ties and extended OCI eligibility to later generations. Guyana Mining Context: An Australian firm says Guyana’s goldfields are still significantly underexplored, pointing to large new landholdings in the Guiana Shield.

Health Focus: Nigeria’s malaria fight is stuck in a “perfect storm” of funding gaps, weaker donor support and rising resistance—even as bed nets and cleaner drains are common in cities. Mining Watch: In Guyana’s underexplored goldfields, Australian firm Altair Minerals says it has secured a major stake in the Greater Oko Gold Project, positioning it for large-scale expansion. Suriname-Guyana Ties: Presidents Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and Irfaan Ali held talks on flooding impacts and fast-tracking cooperation on the Corentyne River Bridge, fisheries, energy, trade and agriculture. Diplomacy & Diaspora: PM Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit is pushing a “strategic partnership” with Rob Jetten, with special emphasis on tech, water, defence and the Surinamese-Hindustani community—plus new OCI eligibility for the sixth generation. Travel & Safety: A U.S. State Department list highlights the safest South American destinations, while noting no trip is risk-free.

Jungle Emergency: A 56-year-old Cork woman, Rachel Gotto, says she was stranded in Suriname’s jungle and needed emergency surgery after her “trip of a lifetime” went badly wrong—highlighting how quickly remote travel can turn dangerous when phone signal disappears outside the capital. Green Push: In a separate Suriname-linked story, a major clean-up is planned after concerns about carcinogens tied to drug-making, while another initiative spotlights the fight to save degrading soil worldwide. Regional Diplomacy: Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva met Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to set up next steps for agreements in energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism. Climate Finance: Caribbean countries, including Suriname, are preparing submissions for a new loss-and-damage grant window after a CDB workshop in Barbados. India-Netherlands Spotlight: Much of the week’s international coverage focused on PM Modi’s Netherlands visit and a strategic partnership—plus expanded OCI benefits for the Surinamese-Hindustani community.

Soil-Saving Push: A Utrecht retiree, Sousan Samadani, says she went “100%” into the Save Soil movement after a viral warning that 90% of global soil could be degraded by 2050, then shadowed Sadhguru’s 19,000-mile campaign across Europe and into Suriname and Guyana. Clean-Up Watch: A major clean-up is planned after fresh concerns about carcinogens linked to drug-making. Regional Finance: CIBC Caribbean reported “record-setting” 2025 deals worth over US$3.5 billion across the Caribbean, led by a US$1.6 billion financing for Staatsolie. Diplomacy & Diaspora: PM Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit is being framed as a strategic partnership push—plus a big OCI card expansion for the Surinamese-Hindustani community to the sixth generation. Suriname Neighbours: Suriname and Guyana leaders reaffirmed work on the Corentyne River bridge, fisheries, energy, and trade within a three-month plan.

Caribbean Finance Spotlight: CIBC Caribbean says it arranged record-setting financing across the region in 2025, topping US$3.5 billion—led by a US$1.6 billion deal for Staatsolie Suriname and major mandates spanning utilities, healthcare, infrastructure, and sovereign funding. India–Netherlands Push: PM Narendra Modi wrapped a Netherlands visit by calling the relationship a “strategic partnership,” pointing to new cooperation in defence, semiconductors, water management, innovation, and sustainability, while Dutch PM Rob Jetten stressed shared democratic values and flagged the Strait of Hormuz closure’s hit on energy prices. Diaspora Boost for Suriname Links: Modi also extended OCI eligibility for the Surinamese-Hindustani community from the fourth to the sixth generation, citing the community’s 150-year cultural ties to India. Suriname Diplomacy in Region: In Caracas, Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva met Venezuela’s leadership to set up agreements in energy, agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Local Governance Context: Guyana and Suriname leaders continued talks on the Corentyne River bridge, fisheries, and trade, aiming to finalize items within a three-month framework.

India–Netherlands Push: PM Narendra Modi in The Hague urged “speed and skill” partnerships with Dutch firms, pitching joint work in innovation, investment, sustainability and defence, while calling the Indian diaspora a “living bridge” between the two countries. Global Pressure: Modi warned that the world is sliding into a “decade of disasters” as COVID fallout, conflicts and an energy crunch could undo decades of progress. Cultural Return: In a separate highlight, Modi celebrated the repatriation of 11th-century Chola copper plates from the Netherlands to India as a “joyous moment.” Suriname Diplomacy: In Caracas, Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva met President (E) Delcy Rodríguez to set up plans for agreements across energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism. Regional Neighbours: Guyana and Suriname leaders also discussed the Corentyne River bridge, fisheries and trade, with a three-month push to finalise key items.

Caribbean Diplomacy: Suriname’s President (E) Delcy Rodríguez met Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva in Caracas, as Venezuela and Suriname push fresh agreements to boost trade and stability across the Caribbean and Amazon. Regional Talks: In parallel, Guyana and Suriname leaders advanced discussions on the Corentyne River Bridge, fisheries, energy and trade, with a three-month push to finalize key items. Climate Resilience Funding: The Caribbean Development Bank and the EU-backed FRLD effort is helping Caribbean states prepare for a US$250M loss-and-damage grant pipeline, while Suriname also received new support to strengthen flood early-warning systems. Global Pressure on Food Security: A UN World Food Programme official warned that worsening crises could deepen acute hunger risks as climate signals and conflict disruptions collide. India-Netherlands Spotlight: PM Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit—featuring meetings with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and talks with PM Rob Jetten—kept Indo-Dutch ties and the Suriname-Hindustani community in focus.

Corentyne Talks Move Forward: Guyana President Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons held virtual talks focused on the Corentyne River Bridge, fisheries, energy, trade and agriculture, with both sides agreeing to a three-month framework to finalise key items—while also flagging heavy rainfall, flooding and climate pressures. Climate Finance Push: The Caribbean Development Bank and the FRLD trained 15 eligible Caribbean countries in Bridgetown on how to access the US$250M loss-and-damage grant pipeline, with a June 15 submission deadline. Regional Cooperation Beyond Borders: Venezuela welcomed Suriname’s foreign minister for a first high-level engagement under the new Surinamese administration, aiming to expand cooperation on trade, transport, tourism, fishing and agriculture. EU/Caribbean Kingdom Politics: Netherlands PM Rob Jetten wrapped up a Caribbean trip announcing an annual “kingdom conference” to tackle poverty, climate and discrimination with Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten on equal footing. Suriname Security Link: South Dakota National Guard and Suriname forces strengthened their partnership during “Rumble in the Jungle,” focusing on command, jungle warfare and engineering.