AGP Executive Report

River Protection: President Jennifer Simons plans two decrees to keep gold mining away from rivers and connected waterways, including areas where pollution could threaten hinterland tourism and water quality. Mining Oversight: Two Surinamese lawmakers want an investigation and a temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron, citing extensive excavation, possible cyanide use and questions over permits and environmental controls. Drought Risk: The World Bank warns prolonged drought can sharply reduce hydropower and force a shift to fossil fuels; Suriname is already preparing for lower water levels at its hydro station. Amazon Forest: Efforts to evict illegal settlers accused of damaging rainforest remain stalled, with reports of ignored court orders and uncertainty over enforcement. Wildlife Crossings: Rope bridges in Brazil have enabled thousands of safe animal crossings without recorded roadkill, and the design is being expanded in Suriname.

Mining Oversight: Suriname lawmakers are urging an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron, citing extensive excavation, questions over permits and possible use of polluting cyanide. River Protection: President Jennifer Simons says new rules are being prepared to protect rivers and connected waterways from gold-mining pollution, including areas important to tourism. Amazon Forest: Illegal settlements remain difficult to clear, with reports of settlers ignoring eviction orders as the government investigates rainforest destruction. Wildlife Crossings: Rope bridges that recorded 15,000 safe animal crossings in Brazil are being expanded to Suriname, offering a way to reduce roadkill and reconnect forest habitat. Clean Energy: A Caribbean Development Bank initiative will offer support to women-led clean-energy businesses, including in Suriname. Ocean Conservation: Suriname voted against a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which again failed to secure the required majority.

Offshore Drilling: Valaris has booked a two-well exploration campaign for PETRONAS Suriname, expected to start in late 2026 and run for up to seven months. Amazon Protection: Suriname’s efforts to remove illegal settlers from rainforest areas remain stalled, with officials facing legal complications and reports that some settlers are ignoring court orders. Clean Energy: A Caribbean Development Bank initiative will support women-led clean-energy businesses in Suriname and eight other countries with technical and financial assistance. Wildlife: Eight rope bridges in Brazil recorded 15,000 safe animal crossings with no roadkill; the design is also being expanded in Suriname. Climate and Biodiversity: A study warns that an Amazon fruit bat could lose up to half its suitable habitat by mid-century, threatening its role in forest regeneration. Ocean Conservation: Suriname opposed a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which again failed to win the required support.

Offshore Oil: Valaris added a two-well exploration contract with PETRONAS Suriname to its backlog; drilling is expected to start in late 2026 and last up to seven months. Rainforest Protection: Suriname’s efforts to remove illegal settlers from Amazon forest areas are stalled, with reports of ignored court orders and uncertainty over enforcement. River Pollution: Indigenous leaders in Suriname and French Guiana are seeking joint action on illegal gold mining and garbage pollution along the Marowijne River. Wildlife: Rope bridges that have recorded 15,000 safe animal crossings in Brazil are being expanded to Suriname, offering a way to reduce road deaths and habitat isolation. Clean Energy: A new Caribbean Development Bank programme will support women-led clean-energy businesses, including in Suriname. Whale Conservation: Suriname voted against a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which again failed to win approval.

Offshore Exploration: Valaris secured a two-well exploration contract with PETRONAS Suriname, expected to begin in the fourth quarter and run for up to seven months. Amazon Forest: Suriname’s efforts to remove illegal settlers accused of clearing rainforest remain stalled, with disputes over legal procedures and eviction orders. Heat and Schools: Government schools are closing at noon through October as high afternoon temperatures make classrooms difficult to use. River Pollution: French Guiana’s Indigenous leaders want to meet with Surinamese counterparts over illegal gold mining, pollution and garbage entering the Marowijne River. Wildlife Crossings: Rope bridges that have enabled thousands of safe animal crossings in Brazil are being expanded to Suriname. Whale Protection: A bid for a South Atlantic whale sanctuary failed again at the International Whaling Commission; Suriname voted against it.

Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across Latin America and the Caribbean made 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, while tracing suspected links between Amazon deforestation, companies and financial networks. Whale Protection: Suriname was among 18 countries opposing a proposed South Atlantic whale sanctuary, which failed to secure enough votes; a separate push to reopen commercial whaling was withdrawn. Rainforest Protection: Suriname’s efforts to evict illegal settlers accused of clearing Amazon forest remain stalled, with some settlers reportedly ignoring court orders and lawmakers seeking answers. Heat and Schools: Government schools are closing at noon through October as high temperatures make afternoon classes difficult. River Communities: Indigenous leaders from Suriname and French Guiana want joint action on illegal mining, pollution and garbage entering the Marowijne River. Clean Energy: A Caribbean Development Bank programme will support women-led clean-energy businesses, including in Suriname. Wildlife Crossings: Rope bridges that recorded 15,000 safe animal crossings in Brazil are being expanded to Suriname.

Climate & Health: Suriname’s education ministry says steamy October heat could be so humid that state schools close at noon for the whole month, starting Oct. 1, to protect students from afternoon temperatures. Rainfall Watch: Tropical Wave No. 55 is approaching Suriname and expected to enter Guiana Esequiba soon, with authorities urging people to follow official warnings for possible rains, showers and lightning. Amazon Protection & Land Rights: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ task force is investigating illegal rainforest settlements, but evictions are stalled as settlers allegedly ignore court orders and officials struggle over which laws apply. Wildlife & Roads: A Brazil project using rope bridges to let tree-dwelling animals cross roads safely—now being expanded to Suriname—reported 15,000 wildlife crossings with zero roadkill. Clean Energy for Women: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000, 2026–2028 facility to help women-led businesses across the region develop and commercialize clean energy solutions, including Suriname. Illegal Mining Pressure: APNU MP Sharma Solomon calls for investigations into who finances illegal gold mining after an INTERPOL warning that syndicates are moving cocaine profits through the sector.

Amazon enforcement: Suriname is still struggling to evict illegal settlers in the rainforest, with reports of people ignoring court orders and officials unclear on which laws are being broken; President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ task force is under scrutiny as lawmakers push for independent investigation. Extreme heat impacts schools: Suriname’s education ministry says steamy October weather could be so humid that state schools close at noon for the whole month, starting Oct. 1. Tropical weather watch: Tropical Wave No. 55 is approaching Suriname and may bring rains, showers and electric shocks; risk-management agencies remain on alert. Oil and environment pressure: Chevron plans higher 2026 exploration spending that includes Suriname, while the wider region continues debating how petroleum wealth should translate into lasting public benefits. Clean energy support: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led clean energy businesses, including Suriname, with technical help and funding through 2028. Wildlife protection setback: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the International Whaling Commission, with Suriname among countries voting against.

Amazon Eviction Standoff: Suriname’s rainforest task force is struggling to evict illegal settlers, with allegations that people are ignoring court orders and officials unsure which laws apply; President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ team is under scrutiny as opposition MP Rabindre Parmessar plans talks and an independent parliamentary probe. Weather Watch: Tropical Wave No. 55 is expected to enter Guiana Esequiba soon, with Suriname urged to monitor official warnings for possible rains, showers, and electric shocks. Climate-Heat Impacts: Suriname schools may close at noon throughout October due to extreme heat and humidity, affecting daily learning schedules. River Pollution & Mining Spillover: Tribal leaders from French Guiana and Suriname are pushing for joint action on illegal gold mining and pollution along the Marowijne River, including better waste management and renewed cooperation via a River Council. Wildlife-Safe Infrastructure (Regional): Brazil’s rope-bridge model recorded ~15,000 safe wildlife crossings with zero roadkill and is being expanded, including to Suriname. Green Finance for Women: The Caribbean Development Bank launches a US$500,000 clean-energy support push for women-led businesses across the region, including Suriname.

Weather Watch: Tropical Wave No. 55 is approaching Suriname and is expected to enter Guiana Esequiba within hours, moving northwest of the country at about 35 km/h; INAMEH warns of possible rains, showers and electric shocks, while the National Risk Management and Civil Protection System stays on alert. Climate & Health Impacts: Suriname’s education ministry says October heat could be so humid that state schools close at noon for the whole month, starting Oct. 1, to protect students during the hottest afternoon hours. Wildlife Connectivity: A Brazil road-safety model using rope bridges recorded about 15,000 safe wildlife crossings with zero roadkill in 15 months, and the design is being expanded—including to Suriname—offering a practical way to reduce habitat fragmentation. Clean Energy Support: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative (SheTrades Caribbean Hub) backing women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions, including Suriname, with technical help and funding through 2026–2028. Transboundary Pollution: French Guiana tribal leaders met in Maripasula to address illegal gold mining and pollution along the Marowijne River, agreeing to strengthen cooperation with Surinamese counterparts.

Climate & Health: Suriname’s education ministry says October heat could be so humid that state schools close at noon for the whole month, starting Oct. 1, to protect students and staff. Wildlife & Roads: A Brazil project using rope bridges to let tree-dwelling animals cross highways safely logged about 15,000 crossings with zero roadkill, and the design is now being expanded in Brazil and Suriname. Clean Energy for Women: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000, 2026–2028 initiative to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions across the region, including Suriname. Illegal Mining Pressure: APNU MP Sharma Solomon urged Guyana to investigate who finances illegal gold mining after an INTERPOL warning linking illicit gold to cocaine profits—an issue that also spills across the Marowijne border. Biodiversity Watch: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the International Whaling Commission, with Suriname among the countries voting against. Mining in Suriname: Miata Metals reported new gold drill results at its Sela Creek project in Suriname, including long high-grade intercepts.

Hot-Weather School Closures in Suriname: Suriname’s education ministry says steamy October heat could make classrooms unbearable, so state schools will close at noon for the entire month (starting Oct. 1 through Oct. 31). Amazon Wildlife-Safe Roads: Brazil’s Alta Floresta rope-bridge project logged about 15,000 safe wildlife crossings with zero roadkill, and the design is being expanded across Brazil and into Suriname. River Pollution and Illegal Gold Mining Talks: Tribal leaders in French Guiana met to address illegal gold mining, pollution, and border impacts with Surinamese counterparts, including concerns about garbage management along the Marowijne River. Clean Energy Support for Women Entrepreneurs: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative (2026–2028) to help women-led businesses across the region—including Suriname—develop and commercialize clean energy solutions. Whale Sanctuary Bid Fails: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary proposal again missed the voting threshold at the IWC, with Suriname among countries voting against. Suriname Oil Wealth Debate: A renewed discussion compares Guyana’s oil path with Suriname’s proposed “Royalties for Everyone” plan, aiming to put resource wealth directly into citizens’ hands. Suriname Mining Update: Miata Metals reported new high-grade gold drill results from its Sela Creek project in Suriname.

Heatwave school closures: Suriname’s education ministry says October afternoons will be too hot and humid, so state schools will close at noon for the whole month (starting Oct. 1 through Oct. 31). Wildlife-safe infrastructure: Brazil’s new rope-bridge crossings in Alta Floresta recorded about 15,000 safe wildlife crossings with zero roadkill, and the design is being expanded—including in Suriname. Clean energy for women: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000, 2026–2028 initiative to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions across the region, including Suriname. Illegal mining pressure: An APNU MP in Guyana called for investigations into who finances illegal gold mining after an INTERPOL warning about links to cocaine profits—an issue that also spills into cross-border pollution concerns. Whale sanctuary setback: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the International Whaling Commission, with Suriname among countries voting against. Suriname research & resilience: The University of Guyana hosts a graduate research symposium focused on resilience, including climate, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

Wildlife-Safe Roads: Brazil’s Alta Floresta has expanded eight rope bridges that, after 15 months, helped tree-dwelling animals make about 15,000 safe crossings with zero roadkill—an approach now being rolled out in Brazil and in Suriname. Climate-Heat School Changes (Suriname): Suriname will run half-day classes in October due to extreme heat and humidity, with state schools closing at noon for the whole month. Clean Energy for Women (Caribbean + Suriname): The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000, 2026–2028 programme to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions, including in Suriname. Whale Sanctuary Vote Fails (South Atlantic): A bid for a South Atlantic whale sanctuary failed again at the International Whaling Commission, falling short of the required 75% majority. Illegal Mining Crackdown Call (Suriname/Guyana region): After an INTERPOL warning linking cocaine profits to illegal gold mining, a Suriname-linked call urges investigations into financiers—not just seized dredges and shipments. Suriname Research & Resilience: University of Guyana’s graduate symposium will focus on resilience research spanning climate, health, agriculture, forestry and sustainable development. Suriname Traditional Knowledge Network: A regional network of traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil is being launched to protect community-owned medicinal knowledge and support healer-apprentice learning.

Clean Energy for Women Entrepreneurs: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 SheTrades Caribbean Hub initiative (with Canada’s SuRGE support) to help women-led businesses in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Suriname develop and commercialise clean energy solutions, with technical help and funding from 2026–2028. Heat Impacts Schools in Suriname: Suriname will run half-day classes in October due to extreme heat and humidity, with schools closing at noon for the whole month. Whale Sanctuary Bid Fails: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary proposal again missed the voting threshold at the International Whaling Commission, with Suriname among countries voting against, as whale protection faces pressure from climate and pollution. Illegal Mining Linked to Illicit Finance: After an INTERPOL warning, Guyana’s APNU MP Sharma Solomon urged deeper investigations into who finances illegal gold mining and how proceeds are moved—highlighting the environmental and criminal links. Suriname–French Guiana River Pollution Talks: Tribal leaders from French Guiana want a joint meeting with Surinamese counterparts to tackle illegal gold mining and pollution along the Marowijne River, including cross-border garbage dumping and river governance. Suriname Climate Talent Spotlight: CARICOM’s youth climate short story competition saw Dominica’s Sherdina Antoine win and Trinidad & Tobago’s Priya Ramdeo place second, with stories focused on a climate-secure future and protecting the living sea. Suriname Research for Resilience: The University of Guyana set a Graduate Research Symposium themed “Resilience for the 21st Century,” with work expected on climate, biodiversity, sustainable development and resource management.

Whale Protection Setback: A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid led by Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay failed again at IWC70 in Hobart, winning 39 votes for and 18 against—short of the 75% threshold—despite growing pressure on whales from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution; Suriname was among the countries voting against. Heat Hits Schools: Suriname is moving state schools to half-days in October due to extreme afternoon heat and humidity, with classes closing at noon for the whole month. Clean Energy Support: A new US$550,000 Caribbean programme will back women-led businesses in Suriname and across the region to develop and commercialise clean energy solutions. Illegal Mining Linked to Drug Profits: INTERPOL warned that criminal syndicates are increasingly using illegal gold mining to move and conceal cocaine profits; Suriname is named in a regional enforcement example tied to “following the goods and the money.” Biodiversity & Community Health: A regional workshop in Trinidad and Tobago strengthened Caribbean respiratory virus surveillance and lab diagnostics—important for climate-stressed communities and resilient health systems. Research & Climate Futures: The University of Guyana hosted a regional sociological conference on societies in transition, explicitly linking social change to environmental pressures like climate change and post-disaster recovery.