Melvin Bouva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation, is a dynamic young Surinamese professional, with an impressive track record at both national and international levels. As a former member of the National Assembly of Suriname, former Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, and a key figure within the National Democratic Party (NDP), he has evolved over the years into an influential voice in national politics and a respected representative of Suriname on global platforms.

Bouva began his political career at a young age. He was the first Chairman of the National Youth Parliament of Suriname, where he advocated for the inclusion of youth voices in national policymaking. This early involvement in youth policy laid the foundation for his later work on the international stage.

His dedication to youth development led to his appointment as a Youth Ambassador to the United Nations for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In this role, he represented the youth of Suriname on global platforms, advocating for sustainable development and youth participation in policy formulation.

Additionally, Bouva also served as a member of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development, where he contributed to shaping strategic youth policies across the Caribbean region. Within this regional commission, he worked under the mandate of CARICOM heads of state to formulate policies and recommendations for youth development throughout the Caribbean community.

Parliamentary Career and International Engagement

In 2010, Melvin Bouva was elected to the National Assembly of Suriname. Within parliament, he held several influential positions, including Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Acting Leader of the NDP parliamentary faction.

His international career further took shape in 2011 when he became a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)—a global platform of parliamentarians from over 170 countries. Bouva quickly established himself as a dynamic and
internationally oriented legislator, participating in numerous IPU conferences and dialogues on democracy, youth participation, human rights, and sustainable development.

A highlight of his international career was his election in 2019 as President of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians within the IPU—a global network that supports and mobilizes young lawmakers. From 2019 to 2021, he also served on the IPU’s Governing Council, directly contributing to global parliamentary policy.
Within the IPU, Bouva also played a leading role in GRULAC (the Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries). He was a board member of GRULAC and served as its Second Vice President from 2017 to 2019, amplifying the region’s voice in global parliamentary discussions.

His international commitment and influence were recognized in 2019 with a prestigious honor: he was named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) by the United Nations—a testament to his leadership and dedication to people of African descent worldwide.

Throughout his career, Melvin Bouva has participated in numerous international and regional conferences, including those of the United Nations, IPU, CARICOM, and other multilateral organizations. His work has taken him across continents, where he represented Suriname in policy dialogues on democratization, youth, human rights, and sustainable development.

Since 2020, Bouva has served as a Policy Advisor at Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he continued to leverage his expertise to support Suriname’s foreign policy, with a special focus on multilateral cooperation.

Today, he assumes office as Suriname’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation.