On June 16, 2026, the Green Heritage Fund Suriname (GHFS), under the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project, hosted the PROMAR Year 2 Update Meeting at the Nationale Stichting Hindostaanse Immigratie on Lalla Rookhweg in Paramaribo. The half-day event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time, brought together approximately 50 stakeholders to review the project's achievements at the close of its second year of implementation and to secure continued stakeholder buy-in for key project deliverables, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the National Litter Database.

 

Following registration and a welcome address from GHFS and the lead agency, the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment, the meeting opened with an introduction to the PROMAR project and a recap of the results achieved during Year 1 under Work Package 1 (WP1). This provided stakeholders with valuable context on the project's progress and set the stage for a deeper look into the tools and systems developed to strengthen marine litter prevention and management across Suriname.

 

A central highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a key output designed to guide consistent, effective marine litter monitoring and management practices moving forward. This was followed by a presentation on the National Litter Database, showcasing how systematic data collection is helping to build a clearer picture of litter composition and hotspots across the country, supporting more informed, evidence-based decision-making. Building on these presentations, the event included the official handover of the SOPs to Suriname's National Environmental Authority, marking a significant institutional step toward long-term ownership and integration of PROMAR's tools into national environmental management systems.

 

Following a coffee break, the agenda continued with a presentation on Pilot Interventions at VZM/CMP and Leonsberg, offering stakeholders insight into practical, on-the-ground efforts to reduce marine litter within these targeted areas. This was followed by a presentation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), exploring how shifting responsibility for plastic waste management upstream to producers can support Suriname's broader transition toward a circular economy.

The meeting concluded with an open feedback session, giving stakeholders the opportunity to share their perspectives and ask questions, before closing remarks and a networking lunch that encouraged continued dialogue and collaboration among attendees.

 

By bringing together government representatives, environmental authorities, and key stakeholders to review Year 2 achievements and formally transfer ownership of the SOPs, the PROMAR Year 2 Update Meeting reinforced the project's commitment to transparency, collaboration, and sustainable, long-term marine litter prevention in Suriname. Events like this play a critical role in ensuring that PROMAR's tools, data systems, and policy frameworks are embedded within national institutions, helping to safeguard progress well beyond the life of the project itself.