I want to thank the Government and people of Suriname for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation. In many ways, Suriname feels familiar, and there is a shared spirit between our peoples that is easy to recognize.

Jamaica and Suriname have maintained diplomatic relations for 50 years. While we honour that history, we are also focused on what comes next. We are committed to building a stronger relationship that delivers real opportunities for our people in trade, investment, culture, and people-to-people exchange.

We also had important discussions on oil and gas, a growing sector in our region. Jamaica is closely observing the progress being made in Suriname, and we are interested in learning from their experience and exploring how we can collaborate in ways that support long-term development and prosperity.

As we look ahead, I am confident that the next chapter of Jamaica-Suriname relations will bring meaningful and practical benefits for our people.