Indigenous, Tribal and Plantation Leaders from across Suriname gathered in Paramaribo for a two-day Gran Krutu, a national dialogue facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The meeting focused on shaping a climate finance proposal to the Green Climate Fund under the REDD+ framework, with the aim of ensuring that Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ perspectives are meaningfully integrated into decisions on forest protection, sustainable resource use, and access to results-based climate funding.
The proposed initiative is designed to help Suriname access REDD+ Results-Based Payments, which reward verified reductions in emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The financing is expected to support sustainable natural resource management, strengthen biodiversity conservation, and improve local livelihoods while respecting the rights, traditions, and roles of Indigenous and Tribal communities. FAO emphasized that this consultation marks the beginning of an ongoing engagement process rather than a one-time exercise.
Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO Representative ad interim in Suriname, highlighted that Indigenous and Tribal Peoples are rights holders and essential partners in the process. She stressed that FAO’s role is to facilitate dialogue, ensure technical clarity, and support informed decision-making, rather than lead outcomes. She also underlined that consultation is being treated as a foundation for trust, transparency, and long-term results, with special attention given to equity, community-driven benefits, and the inclusion of women and youth.
During discussions, Indigenous and Tribal leaders raised concerns around meaningful participation, respect for traditional rights, environmental pressures such as pollution, and the impacts of concessions on community livelihoods. Government representatives, including senior ministers and the Vice President of Suriname, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to inclusive decision-making and recognized the long-standing role of Indigenous communities in protecting Suriname’s forests.
The REDD+ mechanism, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, provides a results-based approach to climate mitigation by incentivizing developing countries to reduce deforestation and enhance forest conservation. With FAO’s support, Suriname aims to align its proposal with international safeguards and standards, enabling access to climate finance based on verified environmental outcomes.
