Suriname called for fair, timely and predictable international financing for countries that protect their natural ecosystems during the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.
The minister put forward this position on 27 October 2026 during the High-Level Segment of the conference, which was held from 19 to 31 October. According to Brunings, Suriname’s forests and mangrove areas make an important contribution to the conservation of biodiversity, the protection of coastal areas and efforts to counter climate change.
He also pointed to the important role of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in the sustainable management of these ecosystems. Suriname invokes, among other provisions, Article 20 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which stipulates that developed countries must make additional financial resources available to support developing countries in nature conservation.
Gold mining and climate change threaten nature
In an interview with the Armenian news agency Armenpress, Brunings cited unregulated gold mining and poaching as major threats to Surinamese biodiversity. In addition, rising sea levels pose a risk to the low-lying coastal area.
According to the minister, preserving mangrove forests in particular is of great importance. These ecosystems provide protection against coastal erosion while also serving as habitats for various plant and animal species.
Brunings stressed that climate change and biodiversity loss are closely interconnected. Rising temperatures may, according to him, affect agricultural areas, forests and communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
The minister also spoke about the possibility of using future revenues for long-term forest protection. This concerns a policy vision and not a decision taken during COP17.
World is behind on biodiversity targets
During the conference, an assessment was jointly conducted for the first time of the progress countries have made in achieving the 23 international biodiversity targets for 2030. The assessment shows that the world as a whole is still insufficiently on track to achieve the agreed targets.
The participating countries therefore adopted the so-called Yerevan Pathway. This joint roadmap is intended to contribute to faster implementation of national biodiversity plans, better monitoring and greater financial, technical and scientific support for developing countries.
Suriname has now aligned its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2035 with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The country has also submitted its seventh national biodiversity report.
Suriname calls for more resources for Cali Fund
Another important topic during COP17 was the further development of the Cali Fund. This international fund is intended to require companies that use digital genetic information from plants, animals and other organisms to contribute to biodiversity protection and a fair sharing of benefits.
Suriname called for sufficient financial resources for this fund.
During the conference, a method was established for the future distribution of the funds. However, the previously agreed indicative corporate contributions of 1 percent of profits or 0.1 percent of turnover remain voluntary.
The fund’s actual revenues remain limited for the time being. Further development of the financing mechanism will continue towards COP18.
Greater involvement of Indigenous and local communities
COP17 also established operational rules for the permanent body under Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. These rules, known as the Sevan Guidelines, are intended to strengthen the involvement of Indigenous peoples and local communities in international decision-making on biodiversity.
For Suriname, this is important because of the traditional knowledge of Indigenous and tribal communities and their involvement in the management and protection of natural areas.
No guarantee yet of structural financing
Although various agreements on international support were made during COP17, there is still no concrete guarantee of the predictable and multi-year financing requested by Suriname.
The participating countries established criteria for the future structure of the permanent financial mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its final institutional form is to be further determined during COP18.
Nor has a separate financing mechanism yet been established to specifically reward countries for keeping their natural ecosystems intact.
For Suriname, access to international financing remains important for the sustainable management of forests, mangrove areas, wetlands and other ecosystems. The resources can be used, among other things, for nature monitoring, strengthening expertise and cooperation with local communities.
The government therefore continues to call for international agreements that are not only ambitious, but also feasible and financially viable for developing countries.
