AGP Executive Report

CARICOM Diplomacy in Motion: CARICOM’s Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett used the 29th COFCOR meeting in Paramaribo to push a single, coordinated foreign policy voice as the region faces “hemispheric and global shifts,” and she backed fresh partnerships—meeting Singapore’s FM and Japan’s vice-minister to discuss development cooperation, rule of law, climate impacts, UN Security Council reform, and support for stability in Haiti. Regional Security Partnership: CARICOM IMPACS and the Crime Stoppers Foundation (CBLA) signed an MoU in Paramaribo to strengthen crime prevention and secure anonymous information-sharing across the Caribbean. Aviation Growth Pressure: Guyana moved to a bigger aviation plan—relocating Suriname’s CJIA control tower to expand parking as traffic surges—while Guyana also targets an ICAO council seat by 2028. Oil Costs Under Scrutiny: Guyana is facing US$34M in Hess exploration bills for the Stabroek Block, including charges for unsuccessful dry wells. Local Business & Culture: A Mediterranean fast-casual brand, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, announced a master franchise deal to expand across Guyana and several Caribbean islands.

Oil & Accountability: Hess has billed Guyana US$34M for Stabroek Block exploration and “dry hole” costs, renewing the long-running fight over who carries the risk when wells find nothing. Aviation Upgrade: Cheddi Jagan International’s control tower is set to move to free parking as traffic surges, with a second terminal already underway. CARICOM Diplomacy: St. Kitts and Nevis formally handed over COFCOR chairmanship in Suriname, with ministers pushing regional coordination on foreign policy, climate resilience, and Haiti. Suriname Relief & Growth: Guyana has loaned Suriname two 31,000-gallon-per-minute pumps to speed flood drainage, while Telesur is betting on new telecom tech to expand Suriname’s digital economy. Business & Investment: IFC plans a US$10M stake in a CARICOM resilience fund, and Founders Metals reports high-grade gold hits from deep auger drilling in southeastern Suriname. Tech/Comms: Telesur selected Squire Technologies for advanced BSS/OSS integration across its network.

Suriname Flood Relief: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps (31,000 gallons per minute each) to speed up recovery from serious, rain-driven flooding, with the units shipped across the Corentyne River on Monday. Oil & Gas Watch: Offshore drilling firm Borr Drilling says it has secured fresh jackup work in Suriname, with a July–October 2026 campaign planned. Reparations Push in the Kingdom: Dutch PM Rob Jetten faced a direct message at Curaçao’s Museo Tula, where the museum renewed calls for slavery reparations and criticized how the Netherlands handled a UN slavery vote. Caribbean Energy Finance: The IFC is set to consider a US$10m investment in a CARICOM resilience fund managed by Sygnus, targeting areas like renewables and energy efficiency. Business & Trade: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill signed a master franchise deal to expand across Guyana and seven Caribbean countries, including Suriname. Diaspora Spotlight: PM Modi continued a five-nation tour, engaging overseas Indians and focusing on energy security and technology ties.

Suriname Flood Relief: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps (31,000 gallons per minute each) after severe, persistent rainfall flooding, with the units transported across the Corentyne River on Monday to speed up drainage. CARICOM Diplomacy: Foreign ministers from across the region met in Suriname, as CARICOM continues pushing coordination on regional priorities. Energy & Investment: Offshore operator Borr Drilling says it has secured new jackup rig work tied to Suriname and Vietnam, while the IFC is set to consider a US$10m stake in a CARICOM resilience fund aimed at renewable energy and other sustainability projects. Local Business & Resources: Founders Metals reports high-grade gold hits from deep auger drilling at its Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname, and APA Corporation declared a cash dividend for investors. Agriculture Calendar: Caribbean Week of Agriculture returns for its 20th edition, launching in Jamaica with the main week running Sept 27–Oct 2.

CARICOM Diplomacy in Suriname: Foreign ministers from across the Caribbean are meeting in Suriname, as regional leaders push shared priorities. Flood Relief Across the Corentyne: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps to help drain floodwaters after persistent heavy rain. Gold Exploration Update: Founders Metals says deep auger drilling at its Maria Geralda target in southeastern Suriname hit multiple high-grade gold intervals, with the gold shoot still open at depth. Climate Pressure on Forests: A new report warns rainforest extraction demands are pushing major biomes toward breaking point, with mining, cattle ranching and agriculture driving the biggest threats. Finance for Resilience: The IFC plans a US$10m stake in a CARICOM resilience fund, aiming to back sustainability-focused projects across member states. Suriname Energy Watch: Staatsolie is set to commission a new shallow offshore seismic survey to assess near-shore hydrocarbons potential. History and Memory: A Dutch slavery research book argues the true scale of Dutch slavery was far higher than the official Atlantic-only figure, widening the conversation beyond Suriname-linked narratives.

Flood Response: Guyana has loaned Suriname two high-capacity drainage pumps after persistent, heavy rainfall worsened flooding across the border region. President Irfaan Ali said the pumps were requested during talks with Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and Public Works Minister, and each pump can move 31,000 gallons per minute; the units were transported across the Corentyne River on Monday. Sports Calendar Clash: Philadelphia is set to host both the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds and the MLB All-Star Game during the July 4 holiday period, with the World Cup ending by July 4 and MLB All-Star events starting mid-July. Justice and Health: In the Netherlands, a court rejected an appeal by an 81-year-old man repatriated from a long US jail term, keeping him serving a life sentence despite acute leukaemia.

AI Adoption Watch: A new 2026 map shows the UAE leading global AI use, with 70% of working-age adults regularly using AI tools, followed by Singapore at 63%, while the U.S. lags despite leading AI development. Suriname Energy Push: Staatsolie is set to commission a major shallow offshore seismic survey covering 52,400 sq km to sharpen near-shore oil and gas prospects, with an environmental review planned first. Trade Finance Boost: The IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Finabank to help Surinamese firms import inputs, expand exports, and reach global markets. Regional Diplomacy: Venezuela and Suriname continue a relaunch of cooperation—talks in Caracas focus on fisheries, agriculture, energy, and transport links, including plans for air connectivity. Human Interest: A Cork woman’s jungle trip in Suriname turned into a survival and emergency surgery ordeal after she was stranded far from help.

Suriname Energy & Finance: Staatsolie is set to commission a major new seismic survey across Suriname’s shallow offshore near-shore area, covering 52,400 sq km to sharpen its oil-and-gas picture, after a limited environmental impact assessment. Trade Boost: The IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Finabank to help Surinamese firms import inputs, expand exports, and reach global markets. Health & Travel Caution: A new report highlights how malaria still dominates Nigeria despite widespread net use, while a separate travel ordeal story shows how quickly jungle trips can turn dangerous. Regional Links: In the background, Suriname’s diplomacy with Venezuela continues to push a cooperation roadmap, including fisheries, energy, agriculture, tourism, and plans for air connectivity—keeping the focus on practical cross-border movement and trade. Guyana Mining Watch: A fresh look at Guyana’s goldfields says they remain significantly underexplored, with an Australian firm pointing to big expansion potential.

Trade Finance Boost: The IFC has signed a trade finance facility with Suriname’s Finabank to help local firms import inputs, grow exports, and reach global markets. Health & Safety Reminder: A Cork woman’s ordeal in Suriname’s jungle ended in emergency surgery after she was stranded far from help. Green Industry Push: A “Green Pharmacopoeia” push is underway, aiming for cleaner medicine manufacturing—explicitly listing Suriname among countries adopting the standards. Regional Diplomacy: Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva’s recent Caracas meetings with Venezuela’s leaders focused on energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and plans for better air connectivity between Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Ongoing Neighbour Talks: Guyana and Suriname leaders continue working on Corentyne River issues, fisheries, and trade, with a three-month plan to move matters forward.

Soil & health push: A new campaign is spotlighting how degraded soil threatens food and livelihoods, while a major clean-up is planned over concerns about carcinogens in drug-making. Suriname–Venezuela diplomacy: In Caracas, Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva met President (E) Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yván Gil to map agreements across energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transport—plus work on air links to Paramaribo. Guyana–Suriname talks: Presidents Irfaan Ali and Jennifer Geerlings-Simons discussed the Corentyne River, fisheries, energy, and trade, aiming to settle key items within a three-month framework. Regional finance: CIBC Caribbean says it arranged record-setting financing across the Caribbean in 2025, including major oil and government deals. Climate funding: Caribbean states trained to access the FRLD’s US$250M loss-and-damage grants, with a June 15 submission deadline. Diaspora ties: PM Modi extended OCI benefits for Surinamese-Hindustani families to the sixth generation.

World Cup Buzz: Panama’s back at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018, aiming to “go toe-to-toe” after a tough qualifying run that made them CONCACAF’s top-ranked side. Caribbean Finance: CIBC Caribbean says it arranged record-setting deals worth over US$3.5 billion across the region in 2025, led by major funding for Suriname’s state oil firm Staatsolie and other big-ticket mandates. Suriname-Venezuela Diplomacy: In Caracas, Suriname’s Melvin Bouva met President Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yván Gil as both sides push a roadmap for cooperation in energy, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and transport—plus plans to revive commercial air links to Paramaribo. Guyana-Suriname Ties: Presidents Irfaan Ali and Jennifer Geerlings-Simons discussed the Corentyne River, fisheries, energy, and trade, with a three-month push to finalize next steps. Diaspora Policy: PM Modi extended OCI benefits for Surinamese-Hindustani families from the 4th to the 6th generation, spotlighting the long migration link. Culture & Debate: Fiji’s Girmit Day “mynah bird” shirt sparked fresh controversy over colonial-era symbolism.

Military Milestone: Guyana Defence Force marks 50 years of integrated officer training, spotlighting Officer Cadet Course No. 6—the first co-ed course in the anglophone Caribbean, producing the GDF’s first female Indigenous officer, Second Lt. Joyce Smith, with celebrations running through church service and a military tattoo. Regional Diplomacy: In Caracas, Venezuela’s President (E) Delcy Rodríguez ratified a renewed cooperation push with Suriname, as Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva’s visit produced a roadmap for agreements across energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transport. Air Connectivity Focus: Venezuela’s foreign minister Yván Gil says work is underway to restart commercial links Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Neighbour Talks: Guyana and Suriname leaders also discussed Corentyne River access, fisheries, and the Corentyne River Bridge, aiming to finalize items within a three-month framework. Culture & Heritage: PM Modi marked the return of 11th-century Chola copper plates to India from the Netherlands, calling it “a joyous moment.”

Venezuela–Suriname Reset: Foreign ministers in Caracas, led by Yván Gil and Melvin Bouva, agreed a road map for fisheries, agriculture, tourism, energy, and maritime and air links—with work underway to restart commercial flights Caracas–Paramaribo and Porlamar–Paramaribo. Regional Bridge Talks: In parallel, Guyana and Suriname presidents pushed ahead on the Corentyne River agenda, including the Corentyne River Bridge, fisheries, energy, and trade, aiming to wrap key items in a three-month plan. Caribbean Climate Funding: Caribbean states, including Suriname, moved closer to accessing a US$250M loss-and-damage grant pipeline after a CDB/FRLD workshop in Barbados set countries up for submissions by June 15. Netherlands Diplomacy: PM (Modi) met Dutch royals and is set for talks with Rob Jetten, while Indo-Dutch ties and diaspora outreach stayed in focus.

Guyana–Suriname Bridge Talks: Presidents Irfaan Ali and Jennifer Geerlings-Simons advanced plans for the Corentyne River Bridge and discussed fisheries, energy, trade ease and agriculture, with both sides agreeing to push key items within a three-month framework while tackling flooding linked to heavy rainfall. Regional Climate Funding Push: Caribbean countries are moving closer to accessing a US$250M climate loss-and-damage grant after a CDB–FRLD workshop in Barbados helped governments prepare “bankable” funding requests ahead of a June 15 deadline. India–Netherlands Spotlight: PM Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands for talks with Dutch leaders and meetings with the royal family, with trade, technology, defence and renewable energy on the agenda—also marking a moment for Indo-Dutch families tracing back nearly 150 years. Venezuela–Suriname Reset: Venezuela’s foreign minister met Suriname’s Melvin Bouva in Caracas to strengthen cooperation on trade, fishing, agriculture, transport and tourism, with expanded working groups now underway. Suriname Flood Readiness: The CDB announced a new EU-backed grant to strengthen Suriname’s flood early warning systems, aiming to upgrade monitoring, forecasting and emergency coordination.

CARICOM Election Watch: A nine-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission says The Bahamas’ 12 May general election was peaceful and orderly, with polling staff and materials arriving on time at most sites, and observers covering 22 constituencies in New Providence and all five in Grand Bahama. Suriname Courts: A Suriname court judge is expected to deliver a ruling in the Pikin Saron case at the end of June. Climate Money Push: Caribbean governments moved closer to accessing the US$250M climate loss and damage grant after a Barbados workshop with the CDB and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, with a June 15 submission deadline. Suriname Flood Readiness: The EU-backed CDB grant of US$698,700 will strengthen Suriname’s flood early warning systems. Health & Public Trust: Suriname doctors are urging media to correct claims about HIV/AIDS, warning misinformation could harm public health. Workplace Pressure (US): Reports show US firms cutting employee benefits, as companies shift spending toward AI and automation.

CARICOM Election Watch: CARICOM observers say The Bahamas election was peaceful and orderly, with polling staff and materials arriving on time at most stations, and only minor delays at a few sites. Climate Finance Push: CDB and the Loss and Damage Fund ran a two-day workshop in Bridgetown to help 15 eligible Caribbean states prepare for a US$250M grant window, with applications due June 15. Suriname Flood Readiness: The EU-backed CDB grant of US$698,700 will strengthen Suriname’s flood early warning systems, upgrading monitoring, forecasting, and coordination. Business & Food: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill signed a master franchise deal to expand into Guyana and seven Caribbean countries via the Beharry Group. Regional Security: Suriname hosts the ACCP conference on organised crime, with police leaders from across the Caribbean meeting under a theme that also tackles AI in law enforcement. Health Alert: Suriname doctors urge the media to correct HIV/AIDS claims, warning misinformation could harm public health.