Suriname commits to protecting 90% of its forests, exceeding global targets

Suriname, a country in South America, made a significant announcement during Climate Week in New York City. The government pledged to permanently protect 90% of its tropical forests, a commitment that goes far beyond the global '30x30' initiative that targets the conservation of 30% of land and oceans by 2030. This ambitious objective has been hailed as one of the most expansive undertaken by any Amazonian country, especially at a time when deforestation rates are increasing across the region. The commitment aligns with the need to combat climate change as Suriname possesses the highest percentage of forest cover in the world—around 93%—and is one of only three countries globally that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits, making it a crucial carbon sink. Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Melvin W.J. Geerlings-Simons, emphasized the importance of their responsibility over more than 15 million hectares of tropical rainforest, highlighting that the preservation of these ecosystems is essential not only for the local population but also for the global climate. Despite the promise, advocates for Indigenous rights raised concerns. Hugo Jabini, a member of the Saamaka Maroon community, stressed that real progress would rely on the legal recognition of Indigenous and tribal land rights, noting that Suriname is the only country in the Western Hemisphere where these rights are not officially acknowledged. Without this recognition, Jabini warned that the Indigenous peoples who have traditionally cared for these forests may be unable to protect them adequately, particularly against threats from illegal logging, mining, and road construction. Furthermore, Sirito Yana Aloema, president of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples in Suriname, echoed Jabini’s assertion, stating that enforcement and acknowledgment of Indigenous communities as rightful guardians of the forest are crucial for the effective execution of the pledge. As the government commits to creating stronger conservation laws by year's end—and with a coalition of environmental donors pledging $20 million to support this effort—there remains a clarion call for enhanced cooperation to develop sustainable alternatives that would not only safeguard the forests but also benefit local jobs tied to conservation efforts.