Joint Guyana Suriname Communique

Presidents of Guyana and Suriname, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and His
Excellency, Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the signing of the accords in agriculture and
health

A delegation from Suriname, Guyana’s eastern neighbour, paid an official four-day visit to
Guyana where they met and held discussions with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and several
government and private sector officials. The two sides foresee a new future between the
CARICOM countries and bound themselves by a number of decisions.
Below is the joint communiqué between Guyana and Suriname:

1.         At the invitation of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the
Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the
Republic of Suriname, paid a four-day visit to Guyana from August 17-20, 2021.  His
Excellency President Santokhi was accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Mellisa Santokhi-
Seenacherry,  H.E. Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International
Business and International Cooperation,  H.E. Parmanand Sewdien,  Minister of Agriculture,
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, H.E. Raid Nurmohamed, Minister of Public Works, H.E.
Albert E. Jubitahana- Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, H.E. David
Abiamofo, Minister of Natural Resources and representatives of the State Oil Company and
private sector of the Republic of Suriname.

2.         In their review of the relations between Guyana and Suriname since their last meeting
in November 2020 in Paramaribo, their Excellencies Presidents Ali and Santokhi noted that
the Guyana/ Suriname Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP) has provided
added impetus to the enhancement of cooperation between their two countries and is indeed
proving useful to their collective goal of furthering the development of their peoples through
mutually beneficial cooperation.
3.         Their Excellencies received reports of the meetings and consultations held by the
various working groups under the SDCP.  They noted with satisfaction the collaboration and
coordination initiatives in Foreign Policy Coordination and Political Dialogue; Environment;
Security; Health; Infrastructure and Transportation; Agriculture; Investment, Trade and
Enhancement of the Private Sector.

4.         Their Excellencies expressed satisfaction with the progress to implement initiatives
geared to improve the unhindered movement of people and goods across the
Guyana/Suriname border. They noted too the coordination of the policies of Guyana and
Suriname in matters of hemispheric and regional significance including the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, combatting crime, enhancing security and the Agri-
Food Systems Agenda of CARICOM.

5.         They directed that strategies be developed to hasten the implementation rate of other
cooperation activities under the SDCP.  They further directed their respective Foreign
Ministers to closely monitor the execution of the activities under the SDCP.

6.         The Presidents underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral and multilateral
security cooperation between Guyana and Suriname and expressed their support for the
initiation of practical measures towards this end, in the context of maintaining peace and
stability in both countries.
7.         Both Presidents agreed to initiate discussions between their Ministers responsible for
legal affairs towards the conclusion of a mutual legal assistance agreement and an extradition
agreement.

8.         Their Excellencies expressed satisfaction at the signing of the historic Air Services
Agreement on December 7, 2020, between the two countries and the progress made towards
the realization of the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge, both of which they believe
will improve interconnectivity, not only between Guyana and Suriname, but with the rest of
the Caribbean and South America, and further afield, and thereby remove obstacles to
increased  trade, the growth of the tourism sector and the unimpeded movement people,
goods and services between Guyana and Suriname.
9.         The two Presidents noted that based on responses to the issuance of invitations from
both Governments for expressions of interest in the construction of the Corentyne River
Bridge several reputable international companies responded, eight of which have been
selected, after joint evaluation, to submit proposals for its construction by October 2021.
The two Presidents exchanged views on the concessions to be granted in relation to the
project, the creation of a development zone in the vicinity of the bridge on both sides and a

management structure to oversee its construction.  For this purpose, a meeting will be
convened within two weeks with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Public Works
to initiate discussions on a comprehensive investment framework.
10.       Their Excellencies noted that the oil and gas sector of Guyana and Suriname held the
promise of transformational development opportunities for both countries and agreed that
taking advantage of the emerging synergies in the sector was of utmost importance to both
accelerate and deepen the prospects engendered by the development of hydrocarbons
offshore.  In that regard, they discussed a possible framework for joint actions/strategy, joint
ventures and the promotion of local content to maximize the benefits from the sector.

11.        The Heads of State took the opportunity to further expand their views on the
initiatives aimed establishing strategic economic and investment linkages between Guyana
and Suriname to take advantage of possible savings from the avoidance of duplications in the
areas of infrastructure to facilitate the production of electrical energy from natural gas to
promote manufacturing and the creation of  petrochemical industry as well as the refining of
natural resources such as bauxite; and the exportation of surplus clean electrical energy.
12.       Within two weeks a working group will be established to pursue concrete proposals
for a joint gas strategy (inclusive of gas-to-shore infrastructure and the establishment of a
plant to generate electricity from natural gas) and a Sub-regional development strategy.
13.       They emphasized that coupled with the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge,
the creation of a joint frontier development strategy focused on East Berbice in Guyana and
Nickerie in Suriname were components that were pivotal to an over-arching strategy aimed at
harnessing the natural resources and human capital assets of Guyana and Suriname to
accelerate the prosperity of both countries and their peoples.  They therefore directed that a
new working group on oil and gas is created and convened.

14.       The two Presidents noted that the agricultural sector offers similar strong
opportunities for enhanced growth and development through increased cooperation and
coordination in terms of production and market access to Europe and North America –
utilizing the respective experiences and strengths in those two large markets.

15.       They noted that the same approach would be beneficial by promoting their two
countries as a twin tourism product and engaging Brazil in a trilateral programme to boost
their tourist industries. They agreed to an early discussion in pursuit of this initiative.
16.       The Presidents discussed the issuance of SK fishing licences to Guyanese fisherfolk
and agreed that both Ministers responsible would work towards the issuance of fishing
licences in that category by January 1, 2022 keeping in mind the established quota on the
Surinamese side.
17. They noted that advantage should be taken of the Inter-Guiana Games and Inter-Guiana
Cultural Festivals for increasing people to people contact. They further acknowledged the
importance of strengthening the collaboration between universities.
18.       Their Excellencies engaged with representatives of the private sector of Guyana and
Suriname and supported moves to establish a Guyana/ Suriname Business Council. They
applauded the healthy partnership between the two private sector groupings and their efforts
to advance the commercial relations between Guyana and Suriname.

19.       Their Excellencies discussed priority issues on the CARICOM agenda including
regional food security and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine inequity, vaccine
hesitancy the resulting economic and social shock engendered by the pandemic and the
security and stability of the region.
20.      They expressed sadness at the recent assassination of His Excellency Jovenel Moise,
the then sitting President of Haiti and reiterated their Governments’ solidarity with the people
of Haiti as they seek to overcome the many challenges facing their security, and the stability
and development of their country. They supported the request of the Haitian Government for
United Nations support in the investigation of the assassination. Further, the Presidents
underscored the need for the region to continuously work collectively, guided by the
CARICOM Charter of Civil Society, to strengthen and safeguard democratic governance and
to strenuously condemn political violence.

21.       In the wake of the recent devastating 7.2. magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti,
Their Excellencies reiterated solidarity with the Haitian Government and its people for the

unfortunate loss of lives and considerable material destruction. Both leaders underscored the
urgency of coordinated regional relief and recovery efforts and are awaiting the outcome of
the assessment by the Haitian authorities concerning the critical areas of need.
22.       The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the further strengthening of the
Caribbean Community and to working with their Colleague Heads of Government of
CARICOM towards the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
They welcomed the new Secretary-General of CARICOM, Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett
who assumed duties on 15 August 2021, and expressed their appreciation for the outstanding
service of the former Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CCH.

23.       Their Excellencies acknowledged the roles of PROSUR and CELAC in bringing the
Latin American and Caribbean region closer together and providing an enhanced voice for
the region in international fora on issues of interest and concern, including peace and
security, climate change and sustainable development.
24.       Their Excellencies agreed to collaborate in their preparations for COP 26 in Glasgow.
They noted that as two high forest, low deforestation countries there is much scope for
advancing the joint positions and interests of Guyana and Suriname at that most important
Summit and beyond.  Particular emphasis was placed on the wider area of REDD Plus,
including low carbon development and forest management, forest conservation, land
reclamation and general climate change mitigation initiatives.  They agreed that an expert
mission to Suriname would be led by the Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of
Guyana, given his experience, international visibility and profile in the areas of the
environment and climate change mitigation to advance the agreed bilateral agenda regarding
the development of a joint strategy for environmental services and climate change.
25.       They agreed to convene a trilateral Summit with the President of Brazil, in Suriname,
at a mutually agreed date to discuss strategic collaboration in light of the potential offered by
oil and gas industry in both countries

26.       Their Excellencies were pleased to witness the signing by their respective Ministers of
the Protocol concerning the Trade in Fresh Agricultural Produce between the Cooperative
Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname and the Agreement on the establishment of

services in the field of health care between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Suriname
and the Ministry of Health of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
27.       In concluding their discussions, both Presidents expressed their full satisfaction with
the results of their dialogue. They further expressed their convictions that the several far-
reaching decisions taken to advance cooperation on bilateral, regional and international
matters were testimony to the political will which they both shared for a new paradigm in the
relations between their countries; driven by their vision for the sustained economic and social
development of Guyana and Suriname and the enhancement of the living standards for all of
their peoples.

28.      His Excellency President Chandrikapersad Santokhi expressed also on behalf of First
Lady Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry and the members of his delegation, gratitude to His
Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, First
Lady Arya Ali, and to the Government and people of Guyana for the hospitality afforded him
and his delegation during his Official visit and extended an invitation to His Excellency
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali to pay a visit to Suriname at a mutually convenient time.
Issued on this 19 th  day of August, 2021, in Georgetown.