Bilateral relations between Guyana and Suriname have been given fresh momentum following high-level talks on Saturday between President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and newly elected Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons in Nieuw Nickerie.The two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation and agreed on concrete steps to deepen ties in energy, agriculture, fisheries, trade, and border matters—while also pushing ahead with the transformative Corentyne River Bridge.In a joint statement, Presidents Ali and Geerlings-Simons reaffirmed the historic bonds of friendship between their countries, anchored in geography, culture, and shared aspirations. Both underscored a commitment to peace, security, and prosperity, not only for their people but for the wider CARICOM and South American region.President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and newly elected Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons in Nieuw Nickerie.Acknowledging the critical role of energy security, the leaders pledged closer collaboration in oil and gas, renewable energy, and electricity interconnection projects. They signalled interest in joint ventures, knowledge-sharing, and investments to bolster national and regional energy resilience.On trade and investment, both sides committed to improving the ease of doing business and to exploring joint ventures that will unlock greater economic opportunities.The long-anticipated Corentyne River Bridge received renewed backing, with both leaders recognising its transformative potential for trade, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to intensify work on outstanding legal, technical, and financial issues to advance construction, positioning the bridge as a vital link within the Amazon region.Turning to the long-standing border issue, the two presidents agreed to convene the 7th Meeting of the Suriname–Guyana Joint Border Commission before the end of 2025, stressing that all matters must be resolved peacefully and in line with international law.President Dr Mohamed Irfaan in Nieuw Nickerie.On the Canawaima Ferry Service, Ali and Geerlings-Simons emphasised its importance to border communities and bilateral trade, committing to a review aimed at improving reliability and efficiency. Both also signalled support for advancing a wider regional ferry project to strengthen integration.With food security high on the regional agenda, the leaders announced the establishment of a joint fisheries commission involving ministers, technical teams, and stakeholders before year-end. Agriculture cooperation will be advanced under the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP), ensuring coordination on food production and trade.Ali and Geerlings-Simons reaffirmed the SDCP as the main mechanism for managing the Guyana–Suriname agenda and instructed their foreign ministers to monitor progress and report directly to them.Both leaders also pledged to maintain the region as a “Zone of Peace,” advancing dialogue and diplomacy while working together to combat transnational crime.President Ali expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by President Geerlings-Simons and her delegation, as both sides agreed to maintain regular dialogue at the highest level.The meeting in Nieuw Nickerie marks one of the first major engagements between the re-elected Guyanese leader and Suriname’s new president, laying out a roadmap for stronger bilateral relations that could have lasting benefits for the region.The post Presidents Ali, Geerlings-Simons advance Guyana–Suriname ties with focus on energy, agriculture, border talks appeared first on News Room Guyana.