In light of the recent controversy regarding the New River Triangle map incident at the International Business Conference (IBC), Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd met with Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal. The meeting, requested by the ambassador, addressed the incident and discussed the convening of the Border Commission between the two nations. Ambassador Blankendal emphasized Suriname’s commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Guyana.

The backdrop of this meeting involves the backlash against a Surinamese map displayed at the IBC, which included the New River Triangle, an area recognized as part of Guyana’s territory. Despite the presence of a Guyanese delegation at the event, the map’s inclusion sparked significant objections from the Guyanese government, asserting that the border has been established since 1936.

In a related development, Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), faced criticism for remarks regarding the map’s portrayal in Surinamese schools. His comments led to strong pushback from the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), which affirmed the New River Triangle’s status as part of Guyana. Following the backlash, Dr. Doerga issued an apology, reiterating that the New River Triangle is recognized as Guyana’s sovereign territory under international law and emphasized the importance of maintaining respectful and cooperative relations between the two countries.