GOGEC condemns misrepresentation of Guyana’s sovereign territory at energy forum in Suriname

See full statement from the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber:

The President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Mr. Manniram Prashad is  expressing his profound concern and  unequivocally condemns the display of a map at the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS) 2026 which depicted the New River Triangle, an integral part of the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, as belonging to Suriname.

As Guyana’s leading private sector organization representing stakeholders within the oil, gas, and energy sectors, GOGEC firmly believes that international conferences, investment forums, and professional industry gatherings must uphold the highest standards of accuracy, professionalism, and respect for internationally recognized borders and sovereign territories.

The New River Triangle is and remains an integral part of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, as affirmed by internationally recognized legal processes. Any suggestion that its status is subject to differing “beliefs” is misleading and does not reflect the binding nature of Guyana’s sovereignty over the territory.

GOGEC notes that this is not the first occasion on which inaccurate territorial representations have surfaced in public forums. We previously voiced our concern when similar actions were undertaken by foreign entities, and we remain consistent in our position that Guyana’s territorial integrity must be respected at all times.

At a time when Guyana and Suriname are both emerging as major energy producers and are working to strengthen bilateral cooperation, foster regional integration, and attract international investment, it is imperative that all stakeholders exercise due diligence when presenting geographic, political, and territorial information.

The Chamber remains committed to promoting strong and mutually beneficial relations between Guyana and Suriname. We recognize the significant opportunities for collaboration between our two nations in the fields of energy, trade, investment, education, and private sector development. However, such cooperation must always be grounded in mutual respect and recognition of each nation’s sovereignty.

GOGEC stands firmly with the Government and people of Guyana in safeguarding our territorial integrity and national interests. We urge organizers, presenters, and participating organizations at international events to ensure that all future materials accurately reflect Guyana’s internationally recognized borders and territorial sovereignty.

The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber will continue to advocate for the protection of Guyana’s interests while promoting constructive regional partnerships that contribute to the sustainable development of the energy sector and the prosperity of our nation.