This isn't an official website of the European Union
PRINT

RELATIONS WITH THE EU

The European Union and Suriname

EU relations and cooperation with Suriname are carried out both on bilateral and regional basis, the latter within the framework of the on-going EU-CELAC and EU-CARIFORUM dialogues.

Suriname’s economy is small with public sector activities, mining and services being the major sectors. The agriculture sector and fisheries contribute a relatively small share of gross domestic product, averaging at about 5-7% annually. Nevertheless, the sector has high potential for contributing to economic diversification, employment generation and adaptation to climate change.

 

EU’s strategic objectives

Suriname is one of the greenest countries in the world where about 93% of its land surface is covered by forest and the historical deforestation decree is lower than 0.1%. The goal of the government is to preserve this status and to increase the contribution of the forests to the economy and the welfare of this and future generations.

The EU’s engagement on forests in development cooperation is firmly enshrined in the European Consensus on Development, which affirms the EU’s vision based on integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This partnership provides an opportunity for the EU to position itself as a key partner for Suriname in maintaining the country’s 93% forest cover pledge and to continue to play an active role in the country’s climate and environmental priorities.

The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Suriname for 2021-2024 amounts to €13 million.

Priority area: 'Forest Partnership' will contribute to the obtainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as to several national priorities such as: maintaining the carbon sink function of forests, preserving forest cover at 93% with a low rate of deforestation, keeping sustainable forest management, expanding forests and wetlands under protection (from 14% to 17% of the terrestrial area in 2030), diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on extractive sectors like mining and forming a National land use planning with a focus on the development of climate-smart farming.

 

The EU’s strategic objectives pursued in the  programming period for 2014-2020 included:

  • Strengthening the capacities of the ministry of agriculture and related agencies, as well as the private sector to enable safer, more sustainable and competitive production of selected agricultural products.
  • Safeguarding of ecosystem services, giving priority to locally developed practices and focusing on smallholder agriculture and rural livelihoods, formation of producer groups, the supply and marketing chains, and government efforts to facilitate responsible private investment.

In line with the Human Rights Strategy, the priority areas targeted included:

  • Human rights (domestic violence/trafficking in persons).
  • Business climate.
  • Education.
  • Environment.
  • Climate change.