Incoming Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), H.E. Melvin Bouva, Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has stressed the need for CARICOM’s foreign policy discussions to deliver practical, people-centred outcomes that improve lives in the Community.
In his first remarks as Chair of COFCOR, at the Twenty-Ninth Meeting of COFCOR in Paramaribo, Suriname, Minister Bouva said, the Council’s agenda reflects the complexity of current global and regional challenges, and requires deliberate, results-driven engagement from Member States.
“At the same time, our people want to see results emanating from foreign policy and international relations … In this regard, our collective voice is crucial as the COFCOR provides the policy guidance necessary to advance the shared vision and development goals of our community,” the COFCOR Chair stated.
He highlighted CARICOM’s expanding engagement with international partners, which must be navigated strategically to maximise development opportunities. In this regard, he pointed to sustained outreach across regions, including the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development.
At the same time, he indicated that the Council would assess outcomes from previous high-level engagements to ensure that partnerships remain responsive and beneficial to Member States.
With several major international meetings on the horizon, Minister Bouva said COFCOR will use its deliberations to refine unified CARICOM positions to ensure effective representation of the Community’s interests.
Please see Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of COFCOR’s full remarks below:
DRAFT OPENING REMARKS BY H.E. MELVIN W.J. BOUVA
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND COOPERATION
AND INCOMING CHAIR OF THE TWENTY-NINTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
FOR FOREIGN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (COFCOR)
20-21 MAY 2026
- Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community.
- Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Investment of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and Outgoing Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations;
- Dear Colleague Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Community;
- Members of Cabinet
- Members of the National Assembly
- Ms. Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations;
- Ambassadors to CARICOM;
- Distinguished Delegates;
- CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of the Republic of Suriname;
- Representatives of the Media;
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
“Wan Switi Odi”!
A Pleasant Good morning!
On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Suriname, it is my distinct honour to extend cordial greetings a warm welcome to you to, Paramaribo, a historic inner city, inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, where we are gathered in the spirit of our Caribbean Community(CARICOM),united in purpose and guided by our shared aspirations.
The Republic of Suriname is delighted to host the Twenty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations in a nation known for its vast rainforests and unique flora and fauna, immense cultural diversity, rich culinary high stands, and enduring spirit of hospitality.
Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Suriname assumes the Chair of COFCOR during a very tumultuous time within the global arena.
We equally meet at a critical moment for our nations and the wider region as we intensify our focus on sustainable resource management and the energy transition – sectors in which Suriname continues to play an essential role.
As we gather today, I am reminded of the profound strength that comes from our unity.
The agenda before us reflects the complex realities of our times, requiring us to cautiously navigate an evolving global landscape, while addressing pressing regional issues including climate change, energy security, food security and connectivity. These will in the time ahead require emphasis from us as COFCOR.
At the same time our people want to see results emanating from foreign policy and international relations.
In this regard, our collective voice is crucial as the COFCOR provides the policy guidance necessary to advance the shared vision and development goals of our community.
The Community’s intensified engagement with a diverse array of emerging and established development partners underscores our commitment to positioning CARICOM as a strategic partner on the global stage.
Building upon the significant momentum generated by recent engagements with key partners in the Middle East, North and South America, Africa and Asia, and Europe, the Council is now positioned to proactively steer these bilateral ties.
This process extends to a critical assessment of the outcomes and necessary follow-up actions from our latest ministerial dialogues, ensuring that these historical relationships remain dynamic, responsive, and mutually beneficial.
Equally we should position our Region as a resource rich one and emphasize the potential that we to bring to these development relations.
Over the next two days, we will refine our unified positions for critical international fora, including the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November.
Closer to home, the COFCOR remains steadfast in its support for our sister nation of Haiti.
We will assess the progress made by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) and the Ministerial Policy Group, remaining encouraged by the meaningful steps taken thus far.
Crucially, the Council will advance discussions on border issues involving Member States, as we continue to support the maintenance and preservation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During our Retreat tomorrow, we will reflect on geopolitical concerns directly affecting our sustainable development and discuss the implications of Community enlargement.
This includes the review of Associate Membership applications and strengthening our foreign policy co-ordination in the context of rapid multilateral shifts.
It is my expectation that these frank and robust discussions will deliver tangible results that provide a practical path to address our current challenges through innovation, trade, and investment.
Before proceeding, it would be remiss of me if I did not, on our collective behalf, appreciate the outgoing Chair, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, for his chairmanship of the COFCOR through some challenging times.
Minister Douglas, we are deeply indebted to you for your expert stewardship over the past year, which has successfully leveraged many opportunities to advance our partnerships with various Third States during a time of global uncertainty.
Colleagues, there is no doubt: we are together stronger as. Even as we recognise the challenges each of us faces on our national fronts, and the complexities of achieving common goals, let us work steadfastly to improve the lives and livelihoods of our community.
Through open dialogue and a commitment to our shared values, we will navigate these complexities and forge a brighter future for the Region.
In closing colleagues, while our agenda is demanding, it is my hope that you each will find the time to experience the unique heritage of Suriname.
Also, for this reason, the Suriname Trade and Investment Agency mounted a “Conference Store” in the lobby area for you to have a first-hand experience of what local companies can produce.
Suriname and its current Government are committed to the Caribbean Community, as President Simons prepares to join the Bureau of Heads of Government in July this year as the incoming chair of the Community. In this regard we also see the need for a renewed focus on Suriname’s portfolio within CARICOM as we emphasize the need for youth, sport, culture and gender affairs and equally the heightened attention to the deepening of Caricom’s industrial policy.
Colleagues as we gathered here, we can all reflect on the many challenges we face at the national, and regional levels. However, globally we have seen increased instability threatening the livelihood of all. It is against this background that I strongly believe that not one country would be able to survive on its own, we are simply stronger together! I repeat we have seen in the past and the future will proof that our meeting here in Suriname needs to contribute to a more united and stronger Foreign and Community Relations!
I wish us all fruitful deliberations.
Grantangi, Merci Becoup, I thank you.
