PHILIPSBURG:--- The Second Annual St. Maarten Reading Festival, held at the close of Literacy Month 2025, has been hailed a resounding success. The two-day event, a collaborative endeavor by The Sint Maarten Library, Biblionef Nederland, The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, The University of St. Maarten, Help our Children Foundation, and 721 kids Foundation, brought together students, educators, and the general public to celebrate the power and joy of reading.

Group 5 students from various elementary schools enthusiastically captivated their fellow classmates with their reading theater performance, ‘The Tortoise & the Hare”.  The general public was warmly welcomed, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of community engagement and shared appreciation for literature.

The festival offered a rich and diverse program of literary delights designed to promote reading, writing, and an exploration of technology’s impact on literature. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant lineup of performances, presentations, and workshops celebrating storytelling and literacy.

Highlights included live drama performances such as The Night Owl & the Roosters, a Haitian folktale written by Charles Reasoner and performed by USM Education students, and De Twee Vechtende Eekhoorntjes, written by Rachel Bright and brought to life by Urmie Noordzee and her group. The festival also featured enchanting puppet theater productions, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, presented by Patricia Maeir and her puppet troupe, and Enormuis, written by Angie Morgan and performed by Urmie Noordzee and her team. Every performance book was selected to inspire reading and share valuable life lessons.

Engaging workshops invited participants to explore Anansi stories through The Adventures of Anansi, delve into Caribbean storytelling traditions, develop creative writing skills in In Freedom I Speak, and discover the connection between AI and storytelling. Additional sessions included Voices on Canvas: A Journey through Mixed Media and Visual Poetry and practical Reading Tips for Early and Fluent Readers.

In addition to these highlights, the festival featured interactive activities specifically designed for children, a cozy reading café for relaxation and discussion, and captivating storytelling sessions that transported listeners to different worlds.

Gratitude and looking ahead, the St. Maarten Library expresses its sincere gratitude to all participating organizations for their invaluable involvement and support, which were instrumental to the festival's success. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to the students, teachers, and attendees who contributed to the event's vibrant and positive atmosphere.

The library hopes that everyone departed with a renewed love for literature and eagerly anticipates the next St. Maarten Reading Festival!

World Statistics Day 2025 – “Connecting the World with Data We Can Trust”

Since October 10, 2010, when Sint Maarten adopted its new constitutional status and embarked on its path as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, one guiding force has remained constant - data. Behind every policy, national plan, and measure of progress lies a story told through numbers. On this World Statistics Day 2025, celebrated under the theme “Connecting the World with Data We Can Trust,” the Department of Statistics (STAT) highlights key developments in population, economy, tourism, and employment, offering a data-driven view of Sint Maarten’s growth and resilience over the past fifteen years.

Economy and Tourism: From Shocks to Recovery

In the years leading up to 2017, Sint Maarten saw solid expansion in both air and cruise arrivals. Rising airlift capacity, new accommodation options, and regional demand fueled income growth, employment, and GDP growth.

Passenger Arrivals, 2010–2025 (Selected Years)

While tourism continues to drive growth, it also exposes the economy to external shocks. The impact of Hurricane Irma (2017) inflicted large-scale damage, leading to contractions of around –9% in 2017 and –7% in 2018.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed a strong rebound of +10.6% in 2019 as reconstruction accelerated. The COVID-19 pandemic then struck in 2020, causing a severe –20.4% contraction as global travel came to a standstill. By 2021, GDP recovered by +7.1% showing the island’s remarkable capacity for renewal.

These fluctuations highlight both Sint Maarten’s economic vulnerability and its capacity for recovery, underscoring the importance of diversity and sustainability in long-term development planning.

Inflation Developments

Over the past fifteen years, inflation in Sint Maarten has remained relatively low and stable, averaging between 1% and 3%. However, 2022 marked the highest level in the period, a little less than 4%, reflecting global supply disruptions and rising import costs.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for 2025, overall inflation for the first half of the year remains subdued at 0.7% compared to the same period of 2024. The most notable increases occurred in:

• Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.03%), mainly from higher prices for milk, cheese, eggs, oils, and fats;
• Transport (+2.99%), due to rising fuel and air travel costs;
• Miscellaneous Goods and Services (+2.54%), driven by personal care and insurance expenses.

These movements reflect the impact of imported inflation, particularly in food and fuel, consistent with regional and global price trends. The current moderation indicates that inflationary pressures are easing, offering some relief to consumers and businesses alike.

Caution due to uncertain and ongoing tariff and trade wars may cause inflation in the short term.

Employment: Developments in Labor Market

Labour market performance has generally improved over time, with fluctuations linked to natural disasters and global crises. Unemployment fell from 11.5% in 2011 to 6.2% in 2017, the lowest level in fifteen years, before rising to 9.9% in 2018 following Hurricane Irma. Due to COVID-19, Unemployment once again increased in 2021 to 10.8% but has since reduced to 6.5% in 2022.

Recent data gathered from the 2022 Population Census show Youth Unemployment (ages 15–24) at approximately 15%, slightly below the Caribbean average of 18% and close to the global average of 13%. This improvement is encouraging but highlights the ongoing need to create more opportunities for young people through education, training, and targeted job-placement initiatives.

The upcoming 2025 Labour Force Survey will provide updated figures to help policymakers better understand the island’s employment landscape and guide future interventions.

Population: Growth and Demographic Change

Sint Maarten’s population has grown steadily over the past fifteen years. The 2011 census recorded 33,609 residents, while by 2022 that number had reached 41,902, an increase of roughly 25%. This consistent growth has made Sint Maarten one of the most densely populated and urbanized islands in the Dutch Caribbean.

Demographically, the island has undergone a marked shift toward an older population. In 2011, only 5.3% of residents were aged 65 and over; by 2022, that share had more than doubled to 13.6%. Meanwhile, the proportion of children under 15 declined from 22.1% in 2011 to 15.5% in 2022. This trend mirrors global aging patterns, but for a small island economy, it carries major implications, from a shrinking labor force to higher healthcare demand and greater pension pressures.

Conclusion

Fifteen years of data reveal a country that has faced significant adversity — from hurricanes to a pandemic — yet continues to demonstrate strength, adaptability, and growth.

• Population growth and urbanization have expanded demand for jobs, housing, and infrastructure.
• Tourism recovery and stable inflation point to economic resilience and improving consumer conditions.
• Declining unemployment and lower youth joblessness signal gradual labour-market progress, even as challenges persist.
• An aging population and dependence on tourism remain key areas for forward-thinking policy and planning, especially in areas of healthcare and pension demands.

To sustain progress, Sint Maarten must diversify its economy, expand training and employment pathways, and strengthen data-driven policymaking. By investing in people, innovation, and resilience, the island can build a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Looking Ahead: Building on Trusted Data

As Sint Maarten reflects on fifteen years of progress, one message stands clear: data is the foundation of development.

The Department of Statistics (STAT) remains committed to providing reliable and timely information that strengthens decision-making, enhances transparency, and supports inclusive growth.

Over the coming months, STAT field interviewers will be in communities across Sint Maarten conducting the 2025 Labour Force Survey. Your participation is vital. By sharing accurate information, you help build a clearer picture of our society and contribute directly to improving public policy and service delivery.

On World Statistics Day 2025, Sint Maarten proudly joins the global community in celebrating the power of trusted data to connect people, inform progress, and build a resilient future.

For more information, visit https://stats.sintmaartengov.org/.

~Links Kingdom Responsibility and UN Right to Development Amid EU Budget Concerns.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament,  Sarah Wescot-Williams, has renewed her call for a “reset” of St. Maarten’s development path, emphasizing the island’s right to development as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 41/128.

Her remarks follow the address she delivered on October 13th in the J. Arndell Festival Village, marking the 15th anniversary of 10/10/10. In that speech -distinct from her earlier Constitution Day address in Parliament- Wescot-Williams urged that St. Maarten critically assess its progress since the constitutional change and refocus on development as a right, not a privilege.

“Fifteen years on, the promise that autonomy would bring about a new era of progress and empowerment remains incomplete,” Wescot-Williams said. “True development means ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to live with dignity, participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives, and benefit equitably from the resources of this country.”

Her call has gained renewed urgency following reports that the Netherlands has rejected the European Commission’s proposed EU budget for 2028–2034, calling the €2 trillion plan “too expansive” and “dead on arrival.” The proposal includes a significant increase in funding for the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), raising their collective allocation to approximately €999 million, with about €425 million earmarked for the Dutch and French Caribbean OCTs, including St. Maarten.

According to regional reports, the Dutch government has expressed reservations about the OCT funding, seeking further clarity on loan conditions, allocation criteria, and governance arrangements before endorsing the package. Wescot-Williams warned that such hesitation could delay or dilute vital resources intended to strengthen small island economies’ resilience and equity.

“The Kingdom cannot speak of partnership while withholding the means of development,” she asserted. “Development is not charity; it is a right. And that right extends to every part of the Kingdom.”

She reminded that Article 43 of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands must be understood not merely as a supervisory clause but as a responsibility clause, obligating the Kingdom to promote and safeguard conditions for equitable development.

“Article 43 should not be feared as a whip,” she said, “but embraced as a tool to demand the right to development for the people of St. Martin, at our pace and on our terms.”

Wescot-Williams called on the government to engage both The Hague and Brussels to ensure that St. Maarten can fully access EU development resources. She concluded:

“As we mark this 10/10/10 anniversary, let us move from commemoration to commitment to claim, as a matter of right, the development of St. Maarten not merely to survive, but to thrive.”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Traffic Department is reporting two separate traffic incidents that occurred on Saturday, October 18, 2025, resulting in serious injuries to victims.

Early Morning Incident on Welfare Road

At approximately 4:05 a.m., a multi-vehicle accident occurred near the intersection of Welfare Road. The incident involved an unknown vehicle, a black Nissan, a pedestrian, and a parked white vehicle near a café.

According to preliminary investigations, the unknown vehicle and the black Nissan were traveling along Welfare Road in the direction from Billy Folly Road toward Cay Bay Road. A white vehicle was parked in front of a café at the time, with the pedestrian standing near the café entrance.

The driver of the unknown vehicle initiated a left turn toward a nearby parking area. Simultaneously, the black Nissan began switching lanes but lost control, skidding sideways. The vehicle struck the pedestrian, causing them to fall, before spinning and colliding with the rear of the parked white vehicle.

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries, including fractures to the leg and hip, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Both the driver of the Nissan and the driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene before police arrival.

Afternoon Collision on A.J.C. Brouwers Road

At approximately 3:45 p.m., a collision occurred on A.J.C. Brouwers Road near a commercial entrance, involving a brown Toyota Rav4  and an unlicensed scooter.

The scooter rider was traveling along A.J.C. Brouwers Road from the direction of Sarsparilla Road toward Welfare Road. The Toyota Rav4 was exiting a commercial parking area, turning left onto A.J.C. Brouwers Road, when the scooter collided with the left side of the vehicle.

The impact caused the scooter operator's right leg to become trapped. The Fire Department responded to free the victim from under the vehicle. The victim was treated at the scene and was later transported by ambulance to the SMMC with a fractured right leg.

The Traffic Department is actively investigating both incidents. KPSM urges the public to exercise caution and remain alert, particularly in high-traffic pedestrian areas such as the Simpson Bay Strip. Motorists are reminded that road safety is a shared responsibility.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is encouraged to contact the Traffic Department at 54-22222.