FAO leads Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultation in Suriname for REDD+ climate finance readiness

Indigenous, Tribal and Plantation Leaders from throughout Suriname gathered in Paramaribo on April 13-14 for a Gran Krutu, a national dialogue, facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to initiate discussions on incorporating meaningful input from the community into a climate financing proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This project has the potential to be transformative for Suriname, leveraging its natural resources in a sustainable way, while enabling access to REDD+ Results Based Payments under the GCF. The financing would allow for responsible natural resource management, improving livelihoods, and biodiversity preservation, while respecting the rights and traditions of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.

Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO representative (ad interim) for Suriname underscored the importance listening and integrating Indigenous and Tribal Peoples perspectives in this proposal. Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, she emphasized, are rights holders and partners: "Our role is not to lead decisions, but to help create the conditions for meaningful exchange, technical clarity, and informed choices. We do not see consultation as a formality, but as the foundation for trust and lasting results." This event is intended as the starting point to continued engagement with Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The two days of robust yet respectful debate focused on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ fundamental rights, ensuring equity and delivering community-driven benefits, as well as women and youth involvement.

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples leaders raised compelling issues including respect, trust and meaningful participation in negotiations, as well as concerns related to pollution, concessions, and better livelihoods for communities. The Government of Suriname reinforced their commitment to Indigenous and Tribal Peoples inclusion, with Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment Patrick Brunings and Minister of Regional Development Miquella Huur attending. In his opening address, Suriname Vice President Dr. Gregory Rusland spoke directly to Granmans, Captains, Basyas, and other leaders: “This is not an act of charity. This is the rightful recognition of the efforts that Suriname and, in particular, our communities have made for generations to protect our forests.” Other stakeholders at the forum included the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB), the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN), and Deutsche Bank.

REDD+ is a voluntary climate mitigation framework under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It encourages developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, while promoting forest conservation, sustainably forests management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks through financial and policy incentives. Through the REDD+ Results‑Based Payment (RBP) window of the GCF and with support from FAO, Suriname aims to access funding based on verified results in forest protection and emission reductions, and in compliance with social and environmental safeguards.