Created during the Paramaribo Conference of November 1, 2024, these Franco-Surinamese territorial platforms aim to strengthen dialogue for the management of water resources at various points of cross-border interest in the Maroni river basin.
For this first edition, the Tapanahony-Lawa Confluence area was identified by stakeholders from both countries, and the municipality of Grand-Santi warmly hosted the event, which was attended by Mr. Nurmohamed, Surinamese Minister of Public Works, Mr. de Lacoste, French Ambassador to Suriname, and Ms. Tani, Territorial Councillor of French Guiana.
The following were thus carried out in three days:
- Water classes with schools on the island of Stoelmanseiland, in partnership with the Coco Natural association,
The inauguration of the first automatic cross-border turbidity monitoring station, in Kawani Kampu, which will make it possible to better measure uses and impacts in the confluence zone, and constitutes the first step of a future joint monitoring network. Its maintenance will be carried out in partnership between the French Guiana Water Authority, the Ministry of Public Works and the Town Hall of Grand Santi,
A thematic dialogue on the subjects of essential services (access to drinking water, waste management and the resulting human health), the impact of pollution on the river, such as that caused by gold panning, or even the evolution of morphology with the uses on the banks of the river,
- Consultation with institutions, local stakeholders and customary authorities, to continue the shared diagnostic work and the vision of possible developments over the next 10 years.
The event was organized at the invitation of the French Guiana DGTM and the Ministry of Public Works of Suriname, and the BIO-PLATEAUX initiative facilitated the activities.
Given the common challenges in the Maroni territories, responses will necessarily be collaborative!