Deltares signs cooperation agreement with Suriname

Sharing knowledge

In the coming years, Deltares and the Ministry of Public Works of Suriname will further shape their cooperation on water, climate, and soil issues. This way, we can actively exchange knowledge and expertise with each other.

We will work together on a broad range of topics, including nature-based solutions, flooding and drought, groundwater management, strengthening coastal areas, hydrological models, and flooding. This will allow us to learn from each other, whilst also contributing to broadening the knowledge foundation to best inform policy issues.

Our knowledge will be exchanged in various ways, such as by conducting research together, through webinars, training courses, workshops and working visits between our two countries.

Annemieke Nijhof, Director Deltares: ‘This is a cooperation based on equality and loyalty. It is of mutual importance for us to be able to work more structurally with each other. Our work will be based on a mutual commitment to each other's country, circumstances, and challenges. I look forward to a fruitful collaboration.'

It is of mutual importance for us to be able to work more structurally with each other. I look forward to a fruitful collaboration.

Annemieke Nijhof, Director Deltares

Practical applications

The Ministry of Public Works and Deltares will also work on practical applications what we have learned from each other. We want to work together on practical solutions such as deploying nature-based solutions for flooding and drought. By doing so, we also clearly demonstrate the actual results of our cooperation and provide tools for upscaling, both in Suriname and in the Netherlands.

Minister Nurmohamed: ‘This agreement is about integrated projects; there has to be knowledge transfer and it has to be integrated. Today we lay the foundation for the future. This is a promising agreement. A lot has to be done on both sides, but there is enough opportunity and enough cases to be explored!'

Today we lay the foundation for the future. This is a promising agreement.

Dr Riad Nurmohamed, Minister of Public Works Suriname

The relationship as an important foundation

The agreement, which made official in a Memorandum of Understanding, is the outcome of years of cooperation between Deltares and the Ministry of Public Works of Suriname. Our joint projects have led to further intensification of the important historical relationship that exists between the two countries, providing the space and opportunities for continued and sustainable knowledge exchange.

Deltares and the ministry have worked, including with other parts of the government and with various partners, to set up the Master Plan Water Management for Greater Paramaribo. We also worked on the Water, Soil and Climate Cooperation Programme between the Netherlands and Suriname. This project focused on challenges such as urban resilience, coastal zone management, and management and maintenance issues for Paramaribo and its surroundings. This was also in collaboration with the Anton de Kom University in Suriname.