Suriname Launches SDG Platform for Comprehensive National Development Representation

Following the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals Commission (SDG Commission), the SDG Platform has also been inaugurated. The installation took place on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation. The platform boasts extensive national representation, including representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the business sector, and the corps of district commissioners. Indigenous and tribal organizations are also represented.

“The goal of the SDGs is to serve as a guideline in Suriname’s national and international policies,” said Minister Albert Ramdin of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation (BIBIS), who inaugurated the platform. The minister emphasizes the need for increased awareness about the SDGs. The intention is to achieve the SDG goals and subsequently report on them. According to him, all ministries should incorporate the SDGs into their programs and give them attention, as has already been done in the Multi-Year Development Program (MOP). The BIBIS official indicates that the SDGs will contribute to more development in the country and are therefore crucial.

Members of the SDG Platform include Ambassador Angelic del Castilho (Chair of the National SDG Commission), Jacinta Jong a Lock-Dundas (NGOs), DC Shafiek Gulaman (Dean of DCs), Max Ooft (VIDS), Felicity Fraser (KAMPOS), Gerard den Dekker (VSB), and Rafaela Doest (NIMOS). Member den Dekker, pleased with the appointment to the SDG Platform, states that the platform represents both the private and public sectors and the civil society. He emphasizes that through this platform, a positive contribution can be made to bring the 17 SDGs into all aspects of society. He sees these 17 Sustainable Development Goals as the 17 building blocks for sustainable economic, social, societal, and ecological development. The platform aims to initiate a broad movement to widely disseminate the SDGs in the community. “This should contribute to the development of our country. The real work begins now,” says member den Dekker. Plans and priorities for this will be further developed in close collaboration with BIBIS.

Date: 7 July 2022

Categories:   

Tags:  Agenda 2030, Economic Development, Minister Albert Ramdin, Private Sector, SDG Platform, Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations (UN)