Guyana, Suriname to revive border talks

Sep 14, 2025 News

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…set up joint commission on fisheries by year-end

Kaieteur News – The presidents of Guyana and Suriname on Saturday committed to reviving border talks as well as to establish joint commissions on the fisheries sector and iron out issues related to the Canawaima Ferry Service.

In a joint statement, Presidents Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of Suriname agreed to the peaceful settlement of border matters.

“The Presidents reiterated their unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of border matters through dialogue with full respect for international law. They agreed for the chairs of both commissions to meet as soon as possible and thereafter convene the 7th Meeting of the Suriname-Guyana Joint Border Commission before the end of 2025. Both Leaders underscored the importance of maintaining a spirit of good neighbourliness in addressing all outstanding matters,” the statement said.

Guyana and Suriname have a long-standing dispute over the New River Triangle, which has been recognised as Guyana’s territory since the colonial era. Suriname’s claim to the New River Triangle dates back to the late 1800s.

In February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd met with Her Excellency Ms. Liselle Blankendal, Ambassador of Suriname to Guyana where the counterparts discussed the convening of the Border Commission between the two countries.

That meeting followed strong condemnation by the Guyana government and several local entities of the use of a map at a conference in Suriname that incorporated the New River Triangle as part of that county.

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud in response said, “Every Guyanese, especially those of us who hold positions of leadership and influence in this country, should know with certainty and conviction what are the limits of our territory. The New River Triangle remains an integral and indivisible part of the territory of Guyana, because it was so determined by a process recognised as binding under international law.”

Persaud in a statement on his Facebook page explained that the starting point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname was determined in 1936 when a joint British-Dutch-Brazilian Boundary Commission identified the source of the Kutari River on the watershed with Brazil, as the tri-junction point where the boundaries of Brazil, British Guiana and Suriname meet.

“A monument exists marking the tri-junction point, the southernmost point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname. The Report of the tri-junction point was signed by Heads of the three Commissions to the following effect: The Mixed Commission, being satisfied that this is the only river which in any way answers to the Schomburgk’s description of the Kutari agreed that the boundary Surinam and British Guiana, as defined in the instructions issued to the Mixed Commission, should follow the left bank of its longest branch,” he said.

Meanwhile, Presidents Ali and Simons said Saturday’s meeting was basically to review bilateral relations and advance discussions on areas of mutual interest.

“The two Heads-of-State agreed to establish a joint commission comprising of the Ministers responsible for Fisheries, technical teams and relevant stakeholders before the end of 2025 to further advance cooperation in fisheries,” the statement said.

Additionally, in relation to agriculture, they have agreed to work closely in the framework of the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that exists between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values and aspirations, cultural ties, and geographic proximity, the leaders have expressed mutual commitment to further deepen the bilateral partnership, to promote peace, security, and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.

In terms of economic cooperation both Heads-of-State expressed willingness and an interest to deepen economic cooperation to implement joint ventures of mutual interest. There will also be emphasis on the expansion of trade, investment and the improvement of the ease of doing business.

On energy security, both Presidents Ali and Geerlings-Simons have acknowledged its strategic importance to national and regional development and have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as renewable energy and electricity interconnection.

Both presidents have also committed to exploring joint ventures, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and investment opportunities that would advance their respective national energy agendas while contributing to regional energy resilience.

“With regards to the bridge between Suriname and Guyana, over the Corantijn (Corentyne) River the two Leaders recognized the timely advancement of the transformative potential for trade, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to continue close coordination to address outstanding legal, technical and financial matters. They recognize that this bilateral initiative is also an integral part of the interconnectivity within the Amazon Region,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the importance of a Canawaima Ferry Service to the well-being of border communities, the facilitation of bilateral trade and movement of people and goods was highlighted. In light of this, the two leaders agreed that there exists an urgent need to review its operation with the aim of improving and strengthening the service’s reliability and efficiency.

They also affirmed their willingness to collaborate closer on the regional Ferry project to facilitate regional integration.

“The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP) as the principal mechanism for advancing the broad bilateral agenda of the two countries. They agreed to convene the next session of the SDCP within the shortest possible time and instructed Ministers of Foreign Affairs to follow up on all decisions and report on progress to the Heads-of-State,” the statement said.

The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the region as a Zone of Peace through dialogue, diplomacy, peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with international law. They also restated their support for all of the constructive efforts aimed at combatting transnational crimes.

“The two Presidents reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the bilateral partnership between Suriname and Guyana and to working together in the interest of their peoples and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and South America,” the joint statement said.

President Ali thanked Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons for the hospitality extended to his delegation during the visit. The two leaders agreed to maintain regular high-level dialogue, and the engagement of the foreign ministers and technical teams at ever possible opportunity.

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• Canawaima Ferry Service, Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, Guyana Suriname border, Mohamed Irfaan Ali

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