Collaboration Between Suriname and the World Bank Deepens

• The cooperation between Suriname and the World Bank has been given a new impetus, with a special focus on the water, energy and mining sectors. Minister David Abiamofo of Natural Resources (NH) received a delegation led by Diletta Doretti, Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname.
• During the meeting, Abiamofo gave an overview of the current programs and challenges within his ministry. Among other things, he pointed to the urgent replacement of the outdated drinking water distribution network in Paramaribo and the implementation of projects such as EMSAGS (Emphasis on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining) and GEFGOLD (Global Environment Facility), which focus on the formalisation of small-scale gold mining and the phasing out of mercury.
• Cooperation with international partners was also discussed. For example, Suriname is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which implements the JET-JP programme, among others, to develop financing-ready plans for a just energy transition domestically.
• An important agenda item was the Suriname Competitiveness and Sector Diversification (SCSD) Project. This project finances the strengthening of governance, transparency and administration in the mining sector, including the establishment of the Minerals Authority Suriname (DAS).
• Additionally, Suriname and the World Bank took another important step in their development cooperation earlier this year. The Suriname Preparedness and Enhancing Resilient Communities Project were approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors in late February. Aimed at strengthening Suriname’s resilience to disasters, the US$22.2Mn initiative is the first to be financed by the International Development Association (IDA), since the country joined this World Bank institution in October 2024.

(Sources: Suriname Herald & the World Bank)