For the second year running a Suriname business conference has featured an incorrect map of Guyana and this has provoked the ire of the private sector.
It is unclear if Guyana’s ambassador to Paramaribo has lodged an objection over the map which shows the New River Triangle as not belonging to Guyana. This country’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat is also attending the meeting and it is not known whether he has objected.
In a statement yesterday, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) expressed its strong objection to the display of a map depicting the New River Triangle as part of Suriname during the opening ceremony of the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS) 2026.
The statement said that this is not the first time the PSC has been compelled to raise concerns regarding the failure to properly recognise and respect Guyana’s territorial integrity.
“On February 11, 2025, the PSC publicly objected to similar circumstances arising at a business conference in Suriname, where Guyana’s territorial boundaries were not appropriately represented. At the time, the PSC called for greater sensitivity and respect for matters relating to sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in forums intended to promote regional business cooperation.
It is therefore deeply disappointing that, more than a year later, the PSC finds itself once again forced to object to a similar occurrence”, the statement said.
“We firmly believe that the private sectors of both countries stand to benefit from closer collaboration, increased trade, joint investment opportunities, and deeper economic partnerships. These objectives, however, can only be advanced in an environment of mutual respect and good faith.
Recent developments, including concerns raised by the Guyanese private sector regarding the imposition of fees affecting vessels operating on the Corentyne River and now the repeated presentation of maps inaccurately depicting Guyana’s sovereign territory, have unfortunately created the perception of a troubling pattern that is inconsistent with the principles of neighbourly cooperation, the PSC asserted.
“The PSC wishes to make it unequivocally clear that the New River Triangle is part of the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Any depiction suggesting otherwise is unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of constructive relations that both countries should be striving to strengthen”.
Meanwhile the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry strongly condemned what it said was the continued disrespect of Guyana’s sovereignty by event organisers in Suriname. The most recent incident at the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit is in blatant contempt of Guyana’s sovereign territory—particularly in the presence of Guyanese officials and companies., the Chamber said.
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