Suriname, a small nation on South America’s northern coast that’s 90% covered in rainforest, just announced it will protect 90% of all its forest cover by law—over 25 million acres. President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons made the historic commitment within her first two months in office, saying the country understands the immense responsibility of stewarding over 15 million hectares of tropical rainforest. The announcement came in New York ahead of a UN climate summit and was celebrated as a major step toward protecting 30% of all natural landscapes on Earth. Suriname is one of only three countries that register as carbon sinks, meaning they absorb more carbon dioxide than they emit.
The protected forests are home to more than 700 bird species, 100 types of amphibians, and charismatic mammals like lowland tapirs, jaguars, giant river otters, and eight different primates. Russell Mittermeier, chief conservation officer at Re:wild who has worked in Suriname for 50 years, called the decision unprecedented and said it sets a new standard for the entire Amazonian region. The timing is crucial as deforestation in Suriname has been rising, though Amazon-wide losses are falling substantially, particularly from forest fires. Conservation groups say this bold move could influence discussions at the upcoming COP 30 climate summit in Brazil, where the Amazon will be high on the agenda.
