AGP Executive Report

Music & Heritage: Surinamese-born composer Majoie Hajary’s life and Indian musical roots are spotlighted in a new look at her 1968 work Requiem pour Mahatma Gandhi, tracing her Paramaribo upbringing and later studies across Amsterdam, Paris, and beyond. Regional Business: ANSA McAL appoints Troy Cadogan as Country Head for Guyana and Suriname, tasking him with strategic leadership and stakeholder coordination. Writing & Youth Culture: Dominica’s Sherdina Antoine wins the 2026 CARICOM Youth Short Story competition with “Weathering Us,” while Trinidad and Tobago’s Priya Ramdeo places second for “Mas For The Living Sea.” Sports (Chess): At the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Guyana’s team earns new conditional titles, and Suriname is listed among Caribbean finishers. Sports (Football): CONCACAF Nations League focus keeps Suriname in the spotlight as the group-stage race tightens, with match previews and standings updates circulating. Tech & Connectivity: EllaLink advances its Caribbean Gateway into development, with a possible Suriname link via interconnection routes. Aviation & Media: Guyana hosts a major aviation safety forum, while the region’s TV/radio sports listings keep Suriname-area audiences tuned in.

CONCACAF Nations League (Suriname spotlight): Suriname sit on top of Group B after a 3-2 win over Honduras, setting up a big swing in the race as Martinique try to respond in Paramaribo. Sports (Jamaica vs Honduras): Jamaica and Honduras clash again with quarterfinal and Gold Cup implications, after Jamaica’s dramatic 3-2 comeback over Guatemala. Chess (regional pride): Team Guyana wrapped up the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand with three new conditional titles, while Suriname finished among the Caribbean teams in the women’s standings. Beach volleyball (End Game 2026): Guyana won the men’s crown and Suriname took the women’s title at The End Game 2026, with regional pairs competing in Georgetown. Aviation & connectivity (regional development): EllaLink launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, with a planned route that could extend service toward Suriname and the wider region. Public safety unrest (regional note): Unrest in East Coast Demerara continued, with police urging motorists to avoid the area after reports of an attempted supermarket fire. Indigenous knowledge (health & culture): A regional traditional knowledge and healers network launched across Guyana, Suriname and Brazil to protect community-owned healing knowledge. Aviation safety summit (Guyana): A global aviation forum opened in Georgetown, focusing on safer oversight and stronger accident investigation coordination.

Traditional Knowledge & Health: WHO-backed priorities for 2025–2034 stress Indigenous Peoples as genuine research partners, with stronger protections for intellectual property, fair benefit sharing, and cultural integrity; in the Guianas, healers and experts from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama. Prison Project Delays: Sint Maarten’s new Pointe Blanche prison still lacks formal building-permit clearance because Fire Department sign-off is pending, even though VROMI has already signed off; the first phase is still targeted for September 2027. Caribbean Connectivity Boost: EllaLink officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment with a Cayenne–Martinique/Guadeloupe trunk and a western leg for Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029 and extending onward via interconnection toward Suriname and the wider region. Suriname in Football Spotlight: Suriname’s Nations League push continues as Group B action heats up, with the match-up against Martinique in Paramaribo drawing attention to the tight race for top spot. Chess Pride for the Region: Team Guyana wrapped up the 46th Chess Olympiad with newly earned conditional titles, while Caribbean teams—including Suriname—finished across the standings in Samarkand. Aviation & Safety Talks: Guyana hosted a major global aviation safety forum with ICAO and EASA, focusing on coordination, oversight, and accident investigation capacity. Sports Weekend Results: The End Game 2026 beach volleyball tournament crowned Guyana in the men’s division and Suriname in the women’s division.

Chess & Caribbean Pride: Team Guyana wrapped up the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, earning three conditional titles—Kyle Couchman and Keron Sandiford as Candidate Masters, and Ciel Clement as Woman Candidate Master (pending FIDE confirmation). Guyana finished 132nd in the Open section and 152nd in the Women’s, ranking 4th among Caribbean teams in the Open. CONCACAF Nations League (Suriname focus): Suriname sit on six points after a strong start, and the next big test is Martinique at home in Paramaribo, with Group B first place still very much in play. Aviation Safety & Regional Cooperation: Guyana opened a major global aviation safety forum at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, bringing regulators and investigators from nearly 60 countries to strengthen oversight and accident investigation coordination. Beach Volleyball (Regional results): The End Game 2026 crowned Guyana in the men’s division and Suriname in the women’s, with players from Guyana, Suriname and the Cayman Islands competing in Georgetown. Energy & Connectivity: EllaLink launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new submarine cable corridor linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with western branches for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire.

Aviation & Connectivity: Guyana’s President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says the government is ready to finalise talks with a major airline to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, alongside work on security systems and a push for an international aviation training centre. Football (Suriname): Suriname’s Nations League campaign stays in focus with the next match listed as Suriname vs Martinique in Paramaribo, as the group race tightens after Suriname’s strong start. Regional Sports Buzz: Jamaica and Honduras both face must-win pressure in the Concacaf Nations League, with Jamaica hosting Honduras and Honduras coming off a loss to Suriname. Caribbean Film & Culture: Five filmmakers of Jamaican descent earned nominations for CSIFF26 in New York, including work tied to Bob Marley Beach and Jamaican migration stories. Music Spotlight: “Trap Dancehall” artist Mineral (“Renegade-Boss”) is gaining traction in Europe, blending Guyana roots with a growing international sound. Energy Cooperation (Suriname): Venezuela and Suriname signed a roadmap for energy cooperation during a Paramaribo visit, adding hydrocarbons collaboration and technical training links.

Caribbean Sports Spotlight: Suriname kept its momentum in the Concacaf Nations League, sitting top of Group B after a 3-2 win over Honduras in Tegucigalpa, setting up a big home clash with Martinique in Paramaribo as the race for first place tightens. Matchday TV Guide: Fans can catch Suriname vs. Martinique and Jamaica vs. Honduras via FS2, with the full Monday schedule also listing UEFA Nations League and other regional fixtures. Film & Culture: Five filmmakers of Jamaican descent earned nominations for the 2026 Conch Shell International Film Festival in New York (Oct. 9–11), with works tackling colorism, migration, African diasporic traditions, and public access to Bob Marley Beach. Regional Tech & Connectivity: EllaLink announced the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new fibre optic submarine cable route linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Diplomacy & Arts-Adjacent Policy: Suriname’s foreign minister Melvin Bouva joined UNGA discussions on the Global South’s role and UN reform, reflecting how regional voices are shaping international agendas.

Concacaf Nations League: Suriname kept its momentum in Group B, beating Honduras 3-2 in Tegucigalpa, setting up a big first-place fight as Martinique chase points in Paramaribo. Matchday TV Guide: Suriname vs Martinique and Jamaica vs Honduras are among the key fixtures listed for today, with Suriname’s game airing on FS2. Film & Culture: Five filmmakers of Jamaican descent earned nominations for CSIFF26 in New York, including Hanif James (A Shade of Indigo) and Simon Mais (Bob Marley Beach: The Fight for Your Right). Music Spotlight: Guyanese artist “Mineral” is gaining traction in the UK with “Trap Dancehall,” blending trap and dancehall into a signature sound. Regional Diplomacy: India’s foreign minister met Suriname’s Melvin Bouva and other Caribbean counterparts at UNGA, stressing Global South voices and UN reform. Sports Tourism: Guyana was confirmed to host the 2028 South American Powerlifting Championships, with athletes expected from Suriname and across the region.

Concacaf Nations League (Suriname): Suriname take on Martinique in Paramaribo today, after a 3-2 win over Honduras that underlined how Caribbean teams are closing the gap and refusing to play for “moral victories.” Sports TV Guide: A packed Monday schedule includes UEFA Nations League clashes (Armenia–Montenegro, Belgium–France) plus the Suriname–Martinique Nations League match and other regional fixtures. Reggae Boyz Focus: Jamaica’s interim coach Rudolph Speid says Honduras will come at them aggressively after their own 3-2 loss to Suriname, with Jamaica aiming to keep the fight going to the final whistle. Suriname–Venezuela Energy Diplomacy: A new pact signed in Paramaribo opens a fresh regional dimension for energy cooperation, supported by a parallel university agreement for technical training and capacity building. Global Security & Crime: INTERPOL chief Valdecy Urquiza warns that transnational criminal networks now operate like corporations, while PM Mark Phillips stresses faster intelligence sharing across borders—an issue directly tied to regional enforcement efforts involving Suriname. Arts & Culture (Music): Guyanese artist “Mineral” is gaining traction in Europe with “Trap Dancehall,” a fusion style he’s been developing while also running businesses that connect Guyana and Suriname. Business/Mining (Suriname): Critical Resources doubles down in Suriname with a second gold project deal, while Sranan Gold confirms an auditor change effective Sept. 15, 2026.

Gold & Business: ASX-listed Critical Resources is doubling down on Suriname’s gold scene, snapping up a 90% stake in the Greenstars gold project (with a 35 sq km mining right) after its recent Gonini move—both near major producers like Zijin’s Rosebel. Football (Suriname on the pitch): Concacaf Nations League action keeps rolling, with Suriname set to host Martinique in Paramaribo on Sept. 28, after the region’s Caribbean teams showed they’re done playing for “supporting roles.” Sports Spotlight: Jamaica’s Rudolph Speid praised his team’s late-winner mentality after a 3-2 comeback vs Guatemala, while Suriname’s own opener vs Honduras ended 2-2. Local Entertainment & Culture: Guyanese artist “Mineral” is gaining UK traction with “Trap Dancehall,” blending trap and dancehall styles. Media/What to Watch: Monday TV listings include the Nations League match Suriname vs Martinique.

CONCACAF Nations League (Suriname): Suriname’s opener vs Honduras ended 2-2, setting up a tense group as Jamaica beat Guatemala 3-2 and interim coach Rudolph Speid urged fans to pack the National Stadium for the next match. Sports TV & fixtures: Monday, Sept. 28 listings include UEFA Nations League and CONCACAF Nations League coverage with Suriname vs Martinique in Paramaribo. Regional security & intelligence: At the INTERPOL Americas conference in Liliendaal, Guyana’s PM Mark Phillips stressed faster cross-border intelligence sharing, while INTERPOL chief Valdecy Urquiza warned criminal networks now operate like diversified corporate enterprises. Suriname-Venezuela energy ties: A Suriname-Venezuela pact signed in Paramaribo lays out a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy cooperation, supported by university training links. Local business & governance: The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce urged closer monitoring of foreign oil contractors and better disclosure to Guyanese firms under the Local Content Act. Gold & corporate updates (Suriname): Sranan Gold says its auditor change is effective Sept. 15, 2026, while Critical Resources secured exclusivity toward acquiring a major interest in the Gonini Gold Project. Sports tourism (region): Guyana confirmed as host of the 2028 FESUPO powerlifting championships, with Suriname among expected competitors.

Arts & Culture (History): A new Canadian Museum of History feature digs into slavery in New France, tracing how bondage shaped Indigenous and African lives from the St. Lawrence to Louisiana. Sports (Football): Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz opened the CONCACAF Nations League with a dramatic 3-2 win over Guatemala, while Suriname were held to a 2-2 draw—setting an early tone for the group. Sports (Beach Volleyball): Guyana’s GBVA will host “The End Game 2026” in Georgetown on Sept. 26–27, with men’s and women’s pairs and expected Suriname participation. Diplomacy & Regional Ties: Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva co-chaired an India-CARICOM foreign ministers meeting at UNGA, with CARICOM backing India’s UNSC bid for 2028–29. Security & Crime: INTERPOL chief Valdecy Urquiza warned that transnational criminal networks now operate like diversified corporate enterprises, exploiting ports, borders, and digital finance. Energy Cooperation: A Suriname–Venezuela pact opens a new energy cooperation roadmap, supported by an academic agreement for oil-and-gas training. Business (Local Media/Tech): Streamline Systems shared how it rebuilt its digital presence to connect services with sales, marketing, payments, delivery, and customer management. Mining (Suriname): Sranan Gold confirmed an effective date for its auditor change, while Critical Resources pushed ahead with an exclusivity pathway toward Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project.

Sports & Community: Guyana’s beach volleyball scene is getting bigger with The End Game 2026 in Georgetown (Sept 26–27), now featuring both men’s and women’s pairs and expected regional participation including Suriname. Football: Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz opened the Concacaf Nations League with a dramatic 3-2 win over Guatemala, while Suriname were held to a 2-2 draw—a reminder that the group is tight. Regional Security: At the INTERPOL Americas conference, Guyana’s PM Mark Phillips stressed that fast, accurate intelligence-sharing is crucial to stop cross-border crime—an issue that directly involves Suriname in regional operations. Diplomacy: Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva joined UNGA discussions where leaders backed the Global South’s voice and pushed for UN reform. Energy Cooperation: Suriname and Venezuela signed a package of agreements, including a 2026–2027 energy roadmap and academic training links for Suriname’s growing hydrocarbons sector.

Suriname-Venezuela Energy Boost: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited Paramaribo and signed 10 cooperation documents, including a 2026–2027 roadmap for energy collaboration, plus an academic deal between Venezuela’s University of Hydrocarbons and Anton de Kom University to train oil-and-gas talent. Regional Security Focus: INTERPOL’s Americas conference in Guyana heard warnings that cross-border crime now operates like a corporation, exploiting ports, cryptocurrency networks, and digital fraud—while Prime Minister Mark Phillips stressed faster intelligence sharing so officers can act in time. Diplomacy at UNGA: India’s EAM S. Jaishankar co-chaired an India–CARICOM foreign ministers meeting with Suriname’s Melvin Bouva, with CARICOM backing India’s UNSC bid for 2028–29 and talks on trade, digital governance, climate resilience, and energy. Sports Tourism Moment: Guyana was confirmed to host the 2028 FESUPO powerlifting championships, with expected participation from Suriname and other South American nations—another regional spotlight for Suriname athletes. Local Business News: Sranan Gold says its auditor change (DMCL LLP to Crowe Mackay LLP) is now effective as of Sept. 15, 2026.

Regional Energy & Education Ties: Venezuela and Suriname signed a package of 10 agreements in Paramaribo, including a 2026–2027 roadmap for hydrocarbons cooperation and an academic deal between Venezuela’s University of Hydrocarbons and Anton de Kom University. Cross-Border Crime Focus: Guyana’s PM Mark Phillips urged faster intelligence sharing at the INTERPOL Americas conference, warning delays let criminals exploit gaps across jurisdictions—an issue that directly involves Suriname in regional operations. Sports Spotlight: Suriname is set to be part of the CONCACAF Nations League mix, with the schedule listing Suriname in Group B alongside Jamaica, Martinique, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Local Business/Mining News: Sranan Gold says its auditor change (DMCL LLP to Crowe Mackay LLP) is effective Sept. 15, 2026. Gold Exploration Deal: Critical Resources secured exclusivity to pursue a 90% interest in Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project, aiming to apply modern exploration to a historically active district.

Regional Security: Guyana’s PM Mark Phillips urged faster, coordinated action against transnational organised crime as INTERPOL’s Americas conference opens in Georgetown, warning criminals exploit ports, waterways, finance gaps, and slow intelligence-sharing. Diplomacy & Culture: Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva co-chaired an India-CARICOM foreign ministers meeting at UNGA, where CARICOM backed India’s UNSC bid for 2028-29 and discussed trade, digital governance, climate resilience, and energy. Sports Tourism: Guyana confirmed as host of the 2028 South American Powerlifting Championships, with expected participation including Suriname—another boost for regional sporting events. Local Business/Tech: Streamline Systems shared its digital transformation approach, rebuilding its web presence and connecting it to sales, payments, delivery, and customer management. Suriname Business News: Sranan Gold says a change of auditor is effective Sept. 15, 2026, after an administrative correction. Entertainment/Media (Suriname link): UNESCO’s AI ethics forum included Suriname among Caribbean contributors, with AI ethics training for regional public-sector readiness.

Diplomacy & Culture: Suriname’s FM Melvin Bouva co-chaired the India–CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at UNGA, where CARICOM backed India’s UNSC bid for 2028–29 and both sides pledged deeper cooperation on trade, agriculture, digital governance, climate resilience and energy. AI Ethics & Training: Caribbean countries, including Suriname, took part in UNESCO’s 4th Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Saudi Arabia, sharing views on AI readiness, public-sector capacity and social inequalities, with Suriname and others in UNESCO’s AI ethics action training. Sports Tourism: Guyana was confirmed as host of the 2028 South American Powerlifting Championships, with athletes from Suriname and seven other nations expected—another boost for regional sports travel. Local Business/Mining Watch: Sranan Gold announced its auditor change effective Sept. 15, 2026, while Critical Resources secured exclusivity to acquire a 90% interest in Suriname’s Gonini Gold Project, pushing exploration plans forward.