Guyana and Suriname Presidents advance talks on Corentyne River Bridge, trade and energy

May 16, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons held discussions Friday on several bilateral issues, including the Corentyne River Bridge, and the fisheries and energy sectors, among other matters.

According to a brief post on the office of the president’s Facebook page, the two leaders discussed current challenges posed by heavy rainfall and its consequential effects. They also addressed ongoing bilateral issues, including the Corentyne River Bridge, the fisheries sector, ease of trade, energy, and agriculture.

President Ali said he was pleased with the countries’ “shared commitment in deepening our partnership and friendship to ensure further economic cooperation, expansion of trade and integration of our economies”.

Guyana, Suriname Presidents advance talks on Corentyne River Bridge, trade and energy

President Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons meeting virtually on Friday.

The statement said both presidents committed to working within a three-month framework to finalise many of the matters, with the aim of deepening economic cooperation, expanding trade, and further integrating the two countries’ economies.

Meanwhile, the Surinamese President via a post on her Facebook page stated “Today I had a constructive and friendly online discussion with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana. During the conversation, we talked about the effects of climate change and the increasing flooding that our countries are facing. We emphasised the importance of intensive cooperation to tackle these challenges together.”

The Surinamese president disclosed that it was agreed that the Ministers of Public Works of both countries will cooperate on the water problem and infrastructural measures at the technical level.

She added that discussions were held on further strengthening the socio-economic cooperation between Suriname and Guyana, including cooperation in the field of oil and gas, the fisheries issue and the passage on the Corantijn River (Corentyne River).

“We have agreed to meet again within the Suriname-Guyana Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform on short notice. In addition, we will actively involve the private sector in the further cooperation journeys,” she said.

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Corentyne River Bridge, Guyana-Suriname, President Irfaan Ali, trade and energy

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