PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has reiterated its call for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Eastern European country.
“We believe that the hostilities against Ukraine are contrary to the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state and the prohibition of the threat or use of force, and the peaceful solution of the dispute,” said Suriname’s Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation Minister Albert Ramdin
“Suriname’s participation, as the only CARICOM country in the Ukraine Peace Summit, should be seen as our interest in an early end to this conflict,” he told the two-day conference on the peace initiative that ended in Switzerland on Sunday and attended by representatives from nearly 80 countries.
Ramdin said that Suriname’s presence was also to indicate that world peace is monitored and achieved as optimally as possible, noting that the world is currently confronted with two profound violent conflicts, an apparent reference to the Israel and Palestine war and the situation in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine has cost the lives of more than 500,000 people and forced nearly eight million to flee. In Gaza, more than 34,000 people have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and almost 10,000 children left without one or both parents.
“These wars and conflict situations affect the economic situation in Suriname. Higher energy prices, reduced availability of fertilizer for the agricultural sector, and longer delivery times with all the consequences that entails. Import inflation and, therefore, higher prices are the result. So it is also in our interest that the wars are ended. This allows regular trade flows to be achieved,” Ramdin said.
The former assistant secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS) also warned that if the call and efforts to end the wars are not supported, the economic situation, especially in small countries such as Suriname, will not improve quickly.
“There is also a danger that conflicts will escalate in other regions. The wars directly impact food security, energy security, and humanitarian assistance,” he added.
In his address to the conference, Ramdin said the invasion has far-reaching global and regional implications and poses a severe threat to the peace, security, and cost of living in many countries.
“Sound moral values, humanitarian principles, and international law should be our guide in resolving conflicts of a political and military nature. Much is expected of responsible behavior from leaders involved in these conflicts. Dialogue, negotiations, and diplomacy should prevail as the best path to lasting peace and security,” he said.
He said that much is expected from the peace summit and that the Russian leadership should be actively involved.
Russia was not invited to the two-day peace meeting, but many attendees expressed hope that it might participate in a road map to peace in the future.
“A negotiated solution is in everyone’s interest. Conflicts and wars do not have clear winners and losers. We will all be losers if no efforts are made to find lasting peace and security. Suriname supports the main objectives of the Ukraine Peace Summit. Every constructive effort and initiative to end this conflict should be widely supported,” Ramdin said.
Ramdin also spoke about the numerous challenges, uncertainties, and threats facing the world’s population.
“The human costs are high, with the capital being used for war efforts rather than building resilient economies, fighting poverty, and tackling the impacts of climate change. The global rules-based multilateral framework is under challenge. Further weakening is unacceptable. We need a trusted and reliable international system of humanitarian principles and behavior accepted and adhered to by all.”
He said that all conflicts and wars are ultimately resolved at the negotiating table.
“So to the leaders concerned: why not act now and spare the lives of many innocent civilians, children, and the elderly, and rediscover the path of humanity and progress,” he added.
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