President Simons’ annual address on 30 September at Congreshal

De Nationale Assemblée is making final preparations for President Simons’ Annual Address for the 2027 service year. President Jennifer Simons will deliver the address during a Special Public Meeting of parliament at the Congreshal. The gathering will also mark the start of the new parliamentary year.

In the run-up to the meeting, DNA has held consultations with facility, protocol and security services. These discussions focused on the practical organisation, the reception of invited guests, security and logistics around the venue. According to parliament, these preparations must ensure that the meeting proceeds in an orderly manner.

The choice of the Congreshal means that the special parliamentary meeting will be held at a different location. The Congreshal is more often used for major national gatherings and official events requiring additional space for invited guests, security services, media and support staff.

Constitutional significance of President Simons’ Annual Address

The Annual Address is an annual constitutional moment. Article 81 of the Constitution stipulates that, no later than on the first working day of October, the president gives an explanation during a special meeting of De Nationale Assemblée of the policy the government intends to pursue in the coming service year.

This gives parliament insight into the government’s policy direction at the start of the new service year. At the same time, the address constitutes the political starting point for the further consideration of policy intentions and financial plans before parliament.

2027 budget to be presented

Following President Simons’ Annual Address, the draft budget for the 2027 service year will be presented to the Speaker of De Nationale Assemblée, dr. h. c. ir. Michael A. Adhin. The budget will subsequently form the basis for further parliamentary consideration of the government’s revenues, expenditures and policy priorities.

During consideration of the budget, parliamentary factions will have the opportunity to ask questions about the government’s financial choices and the plans of the various ministries. The Annual Address and the draft budget are therefore closely linked. One sets out the policy direction, while the other must provide insight into its financial translation.

Annual Address sets out the course for the 2027 service year.

President Simons’ second Annual Address

For President Simons, this will be her second Annual Address since taking office as head of state. On September 30, 2025, she delivered her first Annual Address, in which she presented policy for 2026. This included economic recovery, social protection, education, healthcare, national security, and the development of the oil and gas sector.

Key News reported extensively last year on Simons’ first Annual Address, in which she set out her government’s policy direction for 2026. The upcoming address must make clear which priorities the government is setting for 2027 and which policy intentions will be continued, adjusted or newly introduced.

Temporary traffic diversions around the Congreshal

Due to the gathering at the Congreshal, traffic on roads in the immediate vicinity will be temporarily diverted. Road users are asked to take possible delays into account and to follow instructions from the police and other competent services.

The exact traffic measures and diversion routes have not yet been announced. DNA has indicated that further information on this will be provided in due course. For motorists and public transport, this may mean that adjusted routes around the Congreshal should be expected on Wednesday, September 30.

President Simons’ Annual Address to be broadcast live

President Simons’ Annual Address will be broadcast live via DNATV on channel 8.4, the Surinaamse Televisie Stichting and the Communicatie Dienst Suriname. The broadcast can also be followed through the social media channels of these organisations.

Those unable to follow the gathering at the Congreshal can therefore watch the address directly. The Annual Address will be followed by the political and financial consideration of the plans for 2027 in De Nationale Assemblée, during which the various factions will express their views on government policy and the draft state budget.