PARAMARIBO – The bilateral relationship between Suriname and Brazil is getting a new boost. President Jennifer Simons will pay an official visit to her Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the end of May, with the aim of further deepening cooperation on several fronts.
According to Minister Melvin Bouva of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation (BIS), preparations for the visit are going smoothly. In an explanation to the Suriname Communications Service, the minister indicated on Monday, April 20, that this is an important moment in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The two heads of state previously met during the Bélem Climate Summit 2025, where the foundation was laid for concrete cooperation agreements. In March of this year, a telephone consultation followed in which further steps were discussed to intensify the relationship.
Various themes will be discussed during the upcoming visit. This includes border management and tackling cross-border crime. Economic cooperation and trade relations are also high on the agenda. “These will be further tightened,” said Minister Bouva.
An important spearhead for the Surinamese government is food security. President Simons has emphatically placed this on the national agenda. The aim is to make food more accessible and affordable for the population. In that context, regional cooperation is explicitly considered. Brazil, as a major producer of high-quality agricultural products, can play an important role in this.
The minister also underlines the importance of better connectivity between both countries. The visit is therefore seen as a strategic step to promote economic growth, trade, tourism and security. Brazil is also interested in Suriname, partly because of its position as a CARICOM country and its geographical location in South America.
Both countries also work closely together in a multilateral context. Within organizations such as the United Nations, Suriname and Brazil regularly work together and share positions on international issues.
With the upcoming state visit, new agreements are expected to be made that will further strengthen the relationship between Paramaribo and Brasília.
