AGP Executive Report

AI & Development: The IDB convened heads of state and tech leaders, including Suriname, to push a regional roadmap for broad and safe AI adoption—aiming to boost productivity and wages across Latin America and the Caribbean. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a regional network after an exchange at Iwokrama, focusing on medicines, ethical practice, and pathways for government recognition and possible links to health systems. Regional Connectivity: Suriname Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten is still pending a solid business case, air rights, and regulatory steps, with special attention to demand via Guyana and benefits for Surinamese and Guyanese communities. Culture & Sports: Guyana’s powerlifting federation is training new coaches with IPF support (including a first female local coach), while regional sports coverage also highlights Suriname’s presence in Caribbean boxing results. Mental Health Warning: Argentina reported a record rise in suicides in 2025, with experts pointing to complex, multi-factor causes and barriers to mental health care.

Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network after a four-day exchange at Iwokrama River Lodge, aiming to strengthen ethical healing practices and push for recognition by governments and health systems. Regional Air Connectivity: Suriname Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten remains in the works, with a follow-up high-level meeting focused on building a solid business case, including possible demand via Guyana and benefits for tourism, trade, and families in the diaspora. Powerlifting & Sports Development: Guyana’s powerlifting push in Chile highlights debut athletes and, back home, GAPLF is sending local coaches (including Suriname listed among participating nations) for an IPF Trainer Course to strengthen technical capacity. Culture on Screen: The Conch Shell International Film Festival returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with Caribbean and diaspora stories, including films from Suriname and Aruba, under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories.” New Species Spotlight: Scientists report the first newly described wildcat species in over a century—Bolivia’s Leopardus tilcayo—adding fresh momentum for conservation and regional biodiversity awareness.

Regional Air Connectivity: Suriname Airways’ proposed route to St Maarten is still on the table, with a high-level follow-up meeting focused on building a solid business case, securing air traffic rights, and assessing demand—especially via connections through Guyana—while also highlighting easier travel for Surinamese and Guyanese communities in St Maarten. Sports & Youth Development: Guyana’s 2026 South American Powerlifting Championships team in Santiago includes debutants, and local officials are also training new coaches to strengthen the sport’s technical base. Culture & Film: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with Caribbean and diaspora stories, including Suriname among participating countries, under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories.” Indo-Surinamese Heritage: A feature revisits how Indian contract workers arrived in Suriname from British India in 1873 and how their languages, religions, food, and customs shaped today’s Indo-Surinamese identity. Science & Conservation: Researchers report the first newly described wild cat species in over a century—Bolivia’s tilcayo—adding fresh momentum for wildlife understanding and protection.

Powerlifting & Youth Sport: Guyana’s 17-member team heads to the 2026 South American Powerlifting Championships in Santiago, Chile, with 10 debutants making their first appearance—an approach meant to mix fresh talent with experienced lifters. Regional Connectivity: Surinam Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten is still in the works, with a follow-up meeting focused on building a solid business case, including possible connections through Guyana and benefits for the Surinamese and Guyanese communities in St. Maarten. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming to strengthen ethical practice and push for respectful recognition in national healthcare systems. Culture on Screen: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11), featuring Caribbean and diaspora stories, including films from Suriname. Sports Roundup (Caribbean): A Guyana-led boxing and sports roundup highlighted wins involving Suriname athletes, showing how regional competition keeps cultural ties moving through sport.

Regional Connectivity: Suriname and Curaçao are exploring deeper cooperation in agriculture, education, justice and maritime navigation, with Suriname’s growing oil and gas sector also on the table. Aviation & Community Links: Surinam Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten is still pending a solid business case, air rights and regulatory steps, with special focus on demand via Guyana and easier travel for Surinamese and Guyanese families. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming for ethical protocols and respectful recognition of Indigenous medicinal knowledge in national health systems. Culture on Screen: The Conch Shell International Film Festival returns to New York (Oct 9–11), featuring Caribbean and diaspora stories on migration, belonging and generational memory, with Suriname among participating countries. Sports & Youth: Malawi’s U-15 will face Suriname at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Baku, highlighting growing youth football ties across the region. Heritage Spotlight: Indonesia’s Syair Perang Siak was named a National Collective Memory for 2026, underscoring the role of manuscripts in preserving cultural history.

Regional Connectivity & Tourism: St. Maarten and Suriname are pushing a new Surinam Airways route linking Paramaribo–Georgetown–Princess Juliana, with a business case still being built and evaluated, and special focus on regional demand and the Surinamese/Guyanese communities’ travel needs. Cultural Diplomacy: Curaçao and Suriname discussed deeper cooperation in agriculture, education, justice and maritime navigation, aiming to turn shared knowledge into concrete initiatives. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, with plans for ethical protocols and advocacy for respectful recognition in national healthcare systems. Education & Health Cooperation: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez highlighted education and health links with Suriname, including support for training more doctors via ELAM. Sports & Community Pride: Guyana’s powerlifting federation is training new coaches (including a first female local coach) with IPF support, with Suriname among the participating countries—another sign of growing regional sports ties. Film & Diaspora Stories: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with Caribbean and diaspora filmmakers, including Suriname, under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories.”

Regional Air Connectivity: Surinam Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten is still in the works, with a high-level follow-up meeting focused on building a solid business case, securing air rights, and meeting regulatory requirements—officials also highlighted better links via Guyana and easier travel for Surinamese and Guyanese families in St. Maarten. Cultural Diplomacy & Cooperation: Curaçao and Suriname discussed deeper collaboration in justice, agriculture, education, and maritime navigation, including sharing know-how as Curaçao looks to cut food imports and Suriname weighs expertise exchange amid its growing oil and gas sector. Indigenous Knowledge in the Amazon: Traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming to strengthen ethical practice and push for respectful recognition of Indigenous medicinal knowledge in national health systems. Sports & Community Ties: In Guyana, powerlifting officials are being trained to meet IPF standards, with Suriname listed among countries sending participants—showing regional capacity-building that can feed into future competitions. Film & Diaspora Stories: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11), featuring Caribbean and diaspora filmmakers, including Suriname, under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories.”

Suriname–Venezuela Cooperation: Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez wrapped up a visit to Paramaribo, signing 10 agreements and multiple cooperation frameworks spanning energy, fishing, food production, transport, tourism, agriculture, education and health—aimed at turning 50 years of ties into practical results. Regional Connectivity: In Sint Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina chaired follow-up talks on a proposed Surinam Airways route linking Paramaribo and Georgetown to Princess Juliana International Airport, with demand via Guyana and regional tourism and trade at the center; the plan still depends on a solid business case and regulatory steps. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, focusing on sharing medicinal practices and pushing for respectful recognition and possible integration into national health systems. Culture on Screen: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York Oct 9–11, featuring Caribbean and diaspora stories, including films from Suriname, under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories.” Sports (Regional Spotlight): Guyana’s powerlifting federation begins IPF-aligned coach training in Chile, with Suriname among the nations involved—part of building stronger technical capacity across the region.

Caribbean Diplomacy: Curaçao and Suriname are lining up deeper cooperation after a courtesy visit in Willemstad, with justice, agriculture, education and maritime navigation on the agenda, plus discussion of Suriname’s fast-growing oil and gas sector. Regional Connectivity: St. Maarten and Surinam Airways are still working through the business case for a new route linking Paramaribo and Georgetown to Princess Juliana International Airport, with special focus on demand via Guyana and benefits for tourism, trade and families in the diaspora. Bilateral Agreements: Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez wrapped up a major visit to Suriname with 10 cooperation agreements covering fishing, energy, food production, transport, tourism and education, framed as practical steps for Caribbean integration and training for Suriname’s oil and gas workforce. Culture & Heritage: A new look at Indo-Surinamese roots revisits how Indian contract workers arrived after slavery ended, shaping languages, religions, food and customs into a shared Surinamese identity. Wildlife & Conservation: Scientists report the first newly described wild cat species in over a century—Bolivia’s Leopardus tilcayo—highlighting how local knowledge and modern genetics can reshape conservation priorities.

Suriname–Venezuela Diplomacy: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons in Paramaribo and signed a wide set of cooperation deals spanning energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education and health—framed as deeper Caribbean integration and practical “results-oriented” collaboration. Regional Connectivity: Surinam Airways’ proposed route to St. Maarten is still pending a solid business case, air rights and regulatory steps, with officials weighing demand via Guyana and benefits for regional tourism and the Surinamese/Guyanese community in St. Maarten. Curaçao–Suriname Cooperation: Curaçao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas received Suriname’s new Consul General Joraisa Pokie to discuss justice, agriculture, education and maritime navigation, including sharing expertise as Curaçao looks to reduce food imports. Gender & Education Lens: India ranked 131st out of 145 in the 2026 Global Gender Gap Index, with a low score in political empowerment—an angle that feeds into broader regional conversations on women’s access to power and opportunity. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a regional network at Iwokrama to strengthen Indigenous medicinal knowledge and push for its integration into national healthcare systems. Culture Through Sports: Suriname athletes featured in regional competition coverage, including a Guyana-hosted beach volleyball championship bringing teams from Suriname and across the Caribbean.

Suriname–Venezuela Diplomacy: Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez wrapped up a major official visit to Paramaribo, signing a wide set of cooperation deals with Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons across energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education and health—plus plans for training and closer regional connectivity. Air Connectivity Talks: In St. Maarten, Prime Minister Luc Mercelina chaired follow-up discussions on a proposed Surinam Airways route linking Paramaribo and Georgetown to Princess Juliana International Airport, with special focus on demand via Guyana and benefits for the Surinamese and Guyanese communities there. Indigenous Knowledge & Health: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming to strengthen Indigenous medicinal knowledge and push for its integration into national healthcare systems. Sports & Community: Guyana is set to host its first Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship (Sept 26–27) with teams including Suriname, while Suriname athletes also appear in regional boxing results and cycling events that draw riders from across the Caribbean. Local Energy Access: EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS) is tendering solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure for indigenous communities under the Bio-Sweet project, with applications due Oct 30.

Suriname–Venezuela Diplomacy: Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez met Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons in Paramaribo and the two sides signed a wide set of cooperation deals covering energy, fishing, transport, tourism, agriculture, education and health—plus plans for a high-level joint commission and practical steps like training and connectivity. Regional Connectivity for Families & Tourism: In St. Maarten, Prime Minister Luc Mercelina chaired follow-up talks on a proposed Surinam Airways route linking Paramaribo–Georgetown–Princess Juliana, with special focus on demand through Guyana and stronger cultural and commercial ties for the Surinamese and Guyanese communities. Rural Energy & Water Access: EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS) is tendering solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure for indigenous communities under the Bio-Sweet project, with deadlines set for October 30. Indigenous Knowledge in the Spotlight: A regional traditional knowledge and healers network was launched across Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, aiming to connect knowledge holders and push for better integration of indigenous medicinal practices into national healthcare systems. Sports & Community: Guyana announced its first Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship (Sept 26–27) featuring teams from Suriname and other neighbors, with a pathway to the CSV Tour. Indo-Surinamese Roots: A feature revisits how Indian contract workers arrived in Suriname after slavery ended, shaping languages, religions, food and customs into today’s Indo-Surinamese identity.

Suriname Airways Route Talks: Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina chaired follow-up talks on a proposed Surinam Airways service to St. Maarten, with officials focusing on a solid business case, air traffic rights, and how connecting via Guyana could boost passenger movement and regional tourism—also helping Surinamese and Guyanese families stay connected. Venezuela–Suriname Cooperation: Delcy Rodríguez’s visit to Paramaribo produced a wave of agreements across energy, fisheries, transport, tourism, agriculture, education, and health, including training plans and steps to strengthen food and fishing cooperation. Indigenous Knowledge in the Amazon: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama to push Indigenous medicinal knowledge into national healthcare systems. Rural Energy Access: Suriname’s EBS is tendering solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure for indigenous communities, aiming to bring essential services to remote areas. Sports & Community: Guyana announced its first Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship (Sept 26–27) with teams from Suriname and others, building stronger regional sports ties.

Venezuela–Suriname Diplomacy: Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez arrived in Paramaribo and, with Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, signed a wide set of cooperation deals covering energy, fishing, transport, tourism, agriculture, education, and health—framed as a push for Caribbean integration and “sovereign” development. Fisheries & Food Security: A standout pact targets fisheries and aquaculture, including plans to reopen air routes and expand access for fishermen in the shared Atlantic corridor. Energy & Skills: The agreements also focus on training Suriname’s oil and gas workforce, with technical education and specialized programs highlighted as key to turning new offshore opportunities into local jobs. Indigenous Knowledge in the Amazon: Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming to connect Indigenous medicinal practices and advocate for their integration into national healthcare systems. Rural Power in Suriname: EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS) is tendering solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure for indigenous communities under the Bio-Sweet project, with applications due October 30. Sports & Community: Guyana’s first Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship (Sept 26–27) includes teams from Suriname and aims to strengthen regional sports ties.

Venezuela–Suriname diplomacy: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons in Paramaribo and the two leaders signed a wide set of cooperation deals covering energy, fishing and aquaculture, transport (air and maritime), tourism, agriculture, education and health—framed as deeper Caribbean integration and “sovereign” development. Fisheries focus: Rodríguez and Suriname officials highlighted a fisheries agreement aimed at boosting the artisanal fleet and expanding fishermen’s access in the Atlantic corridor. Energy and training: The visit also emphasized oil-and-gas collaboration, including training for Suriname’s workforce tied to new offshore discoveries. Rural energy for Suriname: EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS) is tendering solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure for indigenous communities under the Bio-Sweet project, with bids due Oct. 30. Indo-Surinamese roots: A feature traces how Indian contract workers arrived after slavery ended in 1873 and how languages, religions and food shaped today’s Indo-Surinamese identity. Regional culture & sport: Curaçao’s Kärcher Duo Xtreme is set for Nov. 15 with Tour de France Femmes and Giro winner Demi Vollering, and Guyana will host its first Caribbean beach volleyball championship Sept. 26–27 with teams including Suriname.

Suriname-Venezuela Agreements: Presidents Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and Delcy Rodríguez signed a wide set of strategic pacts in Paramaribo—covering energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education and health—aimed at deeper Caribbean integration and practical cooperation, including training for Suriname’s oil-and-gas workforce and renewed air/sea connectivity. Regional Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, pushing for Indigenous medicinal knowledge to be integrated into national healthcare systems. Rural Power for Indigenous Communities: EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS) opened tenders for solar-storage minigrids and water infrastructure in remote Indigenous areas under the Bio-Sweet project, with application deadline set for October 30. Women in Education (Global Lens): A new global map shows women are more likely than men to attend college in most countries, with the biggest gaps in places like Sweden, Brazil, the U.S. and Australia—an angle that resonates locally with education and gender equity conversations. Cycling Spotlight in the Region: Dutch cycling star Demi Vollering is set to race Curaçao’s Kärcher Duo Xtreme on November 15, with riders from Suriname among those expected to follow the event.