AGP Executive Report

Heritage and Conservation: Archaeological traces beneath Suriname’s forests show Indigenous communities have shaped these landscapes for millennia. Researchers say recognizing that stewardship could strengthen conservation as illegal mining and deforestation continue. Saamaka Forest Defense: Communities are using satellite images, GPS and patrols to document logging and gold-mining incursions and seek recognition of their traditional forest management. Suriname remains about 93% forested, but tribal territories have lost nearly 154,000 hectares since 2001. Mining and logging are also pulling Saamaka men from villages and tembe woodcarving, prompting efforts to pass the tradition to younger generations. Climate Risk: A forecast El Niño could increase drought threats to Suriname’s crops and hydropower. Waste and Pollution: A new regional assessment gives Suriname a baseline for improving e-waste collection and treatment. Paramaribo-North residents are also demanding action against garbage burning, citing smoke and health concerns.

Saamaka Forest Defenders: Saamaka patrols are using GPS, satellite images and mapping to document logging and mining incursions, hoping to secure recognition of their traditional forest stewardship. Tribal territories have lost about 154,000 hectares of forest since 2001. Gold mining and logging are also drawing people away from tembe woodcarving, prompting efforts to pass the tradition on. Urban Waste: Paramaribo-North residents want authorities to stop garbage burning, citing smoke and health concerns. Inner-city businesses also report litter from torn-open garbage bags and are calling for a lasting response that includes shelter for homeless people. Climate Risks: A new regional outlook flags Suriname among countries vulnerable to greater drought risks to crops during the 2026–27 El Niño; northern South America’s hydropower may also face pressure. Waste and Climate Planning: Suriname is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new national e-waste assessment to guide collection and management, and one of five taking part in a regional project to improve climate data and emissions tracking. Forest-Based Economy: A new Pan-Amazon platform maps 232 public policies supporting biodiversity-based businesses, including initiatives in Suriname, and aims to help countries share approaches.

Forest Watch: Saamaka communities are using satellite images, GPS mapping and patrols to document logging and mining incursions into their rainforest and seek recognition of their traditional stewardship. Suriname remains about 93% forested, but tribal territories have lost nearly 154,000 hectares since 2001. Climate Risks: A forecast El Niño could raise drought risks for crops and hydropower in northern South America, with Suriname among the countries identified as vulnerable. River Pollution: Communities near the contaminated Saramacca River still lack confirmation that its water is safe, and some residents remain without piped water. An MP is pressing for the pollution report and details of accountability to be made public. Waste and Health: Paramaribo-North residents want authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, citing smoke and health concerns. Suriname is also among 11 Caribbean countries with a new assessment of e-waste volumes and management gaps.

El Niño Risk: A forecast for the 2026–27 El Niño warns that drought could threaten crops and hydropower across northern South America, with Suriname among the countries hardest hit in past events. Forest Protection: Saamaka communities are using satellite imagery, GPS mapping and patrols to document logging and mining incursions into their rainforest, seeking recognition of their traditional forest stewardship. Expanding resource extraction is also pulling people from villages and putting forest-linked woodcarving traditions at risk. River Pollution: Communities along the Saramacca River still await word on whether its water is safe, while questions remain about the contamination investigation and support for residents who depend on the river. Waste and Climate Planning: Paramaribo-North residents are calling for action against garbage burning and its smoke. A new regional e-waste assessment includes Suriname, while a five-country Caribbean project will help strengthen climate data and emissions tracking.

El Niño Risks: A 2026–27 El Niño could raise drought risks for crops in Suriname and other northern South American countries, threatening harvests and adding pressure on water supplies. Saamaka Forest Defence: Saamaka residents are using GPS, satellite imagery and patrols to document logging and mining incursions, hoping to win recognition for their traditional forest stewardship. Gold mining and logging are also drawing men away from villages and tembe woodcarving, prompting elders to teach the craft to younger generations. Pollution Concerns: Paramaribo-North residents want authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, citing smoke and health concerns. Communities along the contaminated Saramacca River still await clear guidance on whether its water is safe and access to the government’s test results. Waste Planning: A new regional e-waste assessment gives Suriname a country-specific starting point for improving collection, treatment and policy.

Rainforest Protection: Saamaka communities are using satellite images, GPS mapping and forest patrols to document logging and mining incursions and seek recognition of their traditional forest stewardship. The pressure also threatens tembe woodcarving, as mining and logging draw people away from villages and forest-based traditions. Climate Risk: A forecast El Niño could raise drought risks for Suriname’s cropland, with past events placing the country among those hardest hit in northern South America. Pollution: Paramaribo-North residents want authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, citing smoke and health concerns. Waste Management: A new regional assessment gives Suriname and 10 other Caribbean countries a baseline for improving e-waste collection, treatment and policy. River Safety: Communities along the contaminated Saramacca River still await clear guidance on whether its water is safe, access to test results and accountability for the pollution.

Waste and Health: Paramaribo-North residents are urging authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, saying smoke is disrupting daily life and posing health risks. River Pollution: Communities along the contaminated Saramacca River still lack clarity on when its water will be safe, who is responsible and why the environmental report has not been shared. E-waste: A new assessment of Suriname’s electronic-waste flows and management system offers a basis for improving collection, treatment and policy; the regional project also trained officials to update the data. Climate Planning: Suriname is among five Caribbean countries in a US$6.75 million initiative to strengthen emissions tracking, climate-risk assessments and monitoring of national climate commitments. Forest-based Economy: A new Pan-Amazon platform maps 232 public policies supporting bioeconomy activities, including initiatives in Suriname, and aims to help countries share approaches and coordinate support.

Waste and Health: Paramaribo-North residents want authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, saying smoke is disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. Forest-Based Economy: A new Pan-Amazon platform maps 232 public policies supporting biodiversity-based businesses, including initiatives in Suriname, and aims to help countries share approaches and improve coordination. E-waste: Suriname is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new national assessment of electronic waste, offering a baseline to improve collection, treatment and policy; SUWAMA helped develop the reports. River Pollution: Communities near the contaminated Saramacca River are still waiting for clear guidance on whether its water is safe and who will be held responsible. Amazon Fires: Regional reports warn that fires are surging despite record-low deforestation in Brazil, with some flames hidden beneath the forest canopy. Climate Planning: Suriname has joined a five-country, US$6.75 million Caribbean project to strengthen climate data, track emissions and assess risks.

Waste and Air Quality: Paramaribo-North residents are urging authorities to stop illegal garbage burning, saying smoke is disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. E-waste: Suriname is among 11 Caribbean countries with new assessments mapping e-waste generation, collection and treatment, offering a basis for stronger policy and management. River Pollution: Communities near the contaminated Saramacca River still lack clarity on when its water will be safe, who is responsible and why the government’s report has not been shared; some residents also lack piped water. Climate Planning: Suriname joins four Caribbean nations in a US$6.75 million project to improve emissions tracking, climate-risk assessments and monitoring of national climate commitments. Amazon Bioeconomy: A new regional platform maps 232 public policies and programs, including Suriname’s, aimed at supporting biodiversity-based businesses and cooperation. Forest Fires: Amazon deforestation in Brazil fell to a record low, but fires have surged; researchers warn that satellite counts can miss blazes burning beneath the forest canopy.

Air Pollution: Paramaribo-North residents are demanding action against illegal garbage burning, saying smoke is disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. Forest Economy: A new Pan-Amazon platform maps 232 public policies supporting biodiversity-based businesses, including initiatives in Suriname, and aims to help countries share approaches and coordinate support. Waste Management: Suriname is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new e-waste assessment to guide collection, treatment, financing and policy; regional training will help officials update the data. River Safety: Communities near the contaminated Saramacca River still lack clarity on whether its water is safe, who is responsible and what the government will do; some residents remain without piped water. Climate Readiness: Suriname has joined a five-country, US$6.75 million project to strengthen climate data, track emissions and assess climate risks. Amazon Fires: Drought-fuelled fires are surging across the Amazon, and NASA warns some blazes beneath forest canopy may escape satellite detection—a regional concern for forests and communities.

E-waste: Suriname is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new national assessment of electronic waste, mapping what is generated and the gaps in collection, treatment and regulation to guide future action. Forest-based economy: A new Pan-Amazon platform catalogs 232 public policies and programs linked to the bioeconomy, including Suriname’s, to help countries compare approaches and find ways to cooperate. Saramacca River: Communities still cannot safely use the contaminated river for fishing and daily needs. An MP is pressing the government to clarify safety measures, accountability and why the environmental report has not been shared with residents. Climate planning: Suriname joins four Caribbean nations in a US$6.75 million project to strengthen emissions tracking, climate-risk assessments and monitoring of national climate commitments. Amazon fires: Despite record-low deforestation in Brazil, fires are surging, and satellite counts may miss blazes burning beneath forest canopies.

Bioeconomy: A new Pan-Amazon platform maps 232 public policies and programs supporting nature-based businesses across nine countries, including Suriname. It aims to help governments share approaches, though analysts say poor coordination and limited access to credit are holding the sector back. Saramacca River: Communities still cannot safely use the contaminated river for fishing, hunting or daily needs. An MP is pressing the government to clarify cleanup measures and accountability, and to release the environmental authority’s findings to residents. Climate Planning: Suriname is joining four Caribbean countries in a US$6.75 million project to strengthen climate-risk data, emissions tracking and monitoring of national climate commitments. Amazon Fires: Brazil reports record-low deforestation, but fire counts have tripled since early October. NASA researchers warn that fires hidden beneath the canopy are damaging forests already scarred by drought and previous burns.

Saramacca River: Communities still cannot safely use the contaminated river for fishing, hunting or daily needs. MP Ronnie Asabina is pressing the government to clarify safety measures, accountability and why the National Environment Authority’s report has not been shared. Climate Planning: Suriname is among five Caribbean countries in a US$6.75 million, 36-month project to improve climate data, track emissions and assess climate risks. Amazon Fires: Deforestation in Brazil fell to a record low, but fires have surged and satellites may miss blazes burning beneath the canopy—another warning that forest degradation can continue even as clearing drops.

River Pollution: Communities along the Saramacca River still cannot safely use its water and say they remain unable to fish and hunt. An MP is pressing the government to release the environmental report and clarify who will be held accountable. Climate Planning: Suriname has joined four Caribbean nations in a US$6.75 million, three-year project to improve climate data, track emissions and assess climate risks. Wildlife Crime: An investigation into illegal jaguar trade found international trafficking links in Suriname, including suppliers of jaguar-bone paste—raising concern for the country’s wildlife and enforcement efforts.

Forests and Tourism: A new travel feature spotlights Suriname’s extraordinary forest cover, citing Global Forest Watch’s estimate that natural forest covered more than 94% of the country in 2020. Climate Planning: Suriname has joined four Caribbean countries in a US$6.75 million, three-year initiative to improve climate-risk and emissions tracking and monitor progress on climate commitments. Saramacca River: Communities still cannot safely use the contaminated river for fishing and hunting; an MP is pressing the government to publish the environmental authority’s findings and clarify who is accountable. Wildlife Trafficking: A regional investigation found evidence of international jaguar-part trafficking in Suriname, including suppliers of bone paste and retailers selling jaguar products. Amazon Fires: Across the wider Amazon, Brazil reports record-low deforestation, but fires are surging and can damage forests beneath the canopy—threats that satellite counts may miss.

Climate Planning: Suriname has joined four Caribbean nations in a US$6.75 million, three-year project to improve climate data, track emissions and assess climate risks, supporting stronger planning and progress reporting. Saramacca River: Nearby communities still cannot safely use the contaminated river, disrupting fishing and hunting. MP Ronnie Asabina is pressing the government to clarify safety measures, accountability and why the environmental report has not been shared with residents. Wildlife Trade: An investigation found evidence of international jaguar trafficking in Suriname, including sales of bone paste and jewelry made from jaguar parts. Mining Pressure: Miata Metals reported new gold intercepts at its Sela Creek project, with drilling confirming mineralization across a 1.5-kilometre corridor; further exploration adds to the need for close environmental oversight.