PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – The opening of the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS) 2026 placed strong emphasis on preparing Surinamese citizens to benefit from the country’s emerging offshore energy industry, with President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons calling on young people to position themselves for the opportunities ahead.
Addressing government officials, industry executives, investors, students and international delegates, Geerlings-Simons used her first appearance at SEOGS as president to deliver a message centered on education, participation and national development.
“I want to inspire you to take advantage of the opportunity you are given today to have a much better life for you and your family in the future, by studying, learning and working now,” she told attendees, urging young Surinamese to see the discussions taking place at the summit as part of their future.
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The president said the benefits of offshore development would extend well beyond jobs on oil platforms, creating opportunities across multiple sectors of the economy. She encouraged families, students and professionals to prepare themselves for the changes expected as Suriname moves closer to first oil production.
Throughout her address, Geerlings-Simons presented the energy sector as part of a broader national transformation.
“We also recognize that offshore oil production is far more than an industrial milestone. It is a total national transformation,” she said.
She announced plans to establish a dedicated strategic project management team that will develop a roadmap to guide policy and legislative preparations ahead of first oil, while bringing together government, industry, educational institutions, civil society and other stakeholders.
The president also stressed the importance of managing growth responsibly. She acknowledged the pressures that large-scale investment can place on labor markets, prices and the cost of living, while stressing the need to diversify the economy and avoid overreliance on oil revenues.
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Local content and workforce development featured prominently in the address. Geerlings-Simons described local participation as a key requirement for sustainable development and said her administration is working to expand technical and vocational education while supporting domestic businesses.
Her address concluded with an announcement that Petronas had made another discovery in Block 52, drawing applause from the audience and adding to the sense of momentum surrounding Suriname’s growing offshore sector.
The ceremony also featured addresses from several government officials of Suriname and of diplomatic partners of Suriname, including Grenada and French Guiana.
