St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

DCNA and CARMABI bring together regional experts to improve Caribbean water quality.

dnca14112025 Willemstad:--- The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the CARMABI Foundation brought together scientists, policymakers, and community representatives from across the region on 7 November for the symposium Healthy Waters. Thriving Nature. Vibrant Communities on Curaçao. The event focused on improving coastal water quality to protect marine ecosystems and support healthy, resilient communities.

Two milestones celebrated
The symposium marked two important milestones: the launch of DCNA’s new Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Program, and CARMABI’s 70th anniversary. Among the attendees were the Governors of Curaçao and St. Maarten, the directors of all six national park organizations in the Dutch Caribbean, policymakers, and scientists from across the region.

Science as the foundation for action
DCNA’s director Arno Verhoeven introduced the new Key Habitats Program, explaining how it will strengthen habitat restoration and protection across all six Dutch Caribbean islands. CARMABI director Dr. Manfred van Veghel reflected on seven decades of research that have shaped marine conservation and management in the region. Prof. Dr. Mark Vermeij (CARMABI) highlighted that traditional water quality indicators do not always reflect the true state of coral reefs, but that enough knowledge already exists to guide immediate restoration measures.
International experts Dr. Andreas Haas (NIOZ), Andy Estep (Waitt Institute), and Dr. Jos Hill (The Nature Conservancy) shared insights on microbial dynamics, translating science into effective policy, and the important role of wastewater management. Their shared message: improving water quality is one of the most powerful ways to help both people and nature thrive.

Key outcomes
Through workshops and discussions, participants concluded that declining water quality directly affects reefs, fisheries, tourism and public health. They emphasized the need for regular coastal water monitoring, closer collaboration between science and policy, and improved wastewater treatment as one of the most immediate opportunities for positive impact.

Next steps
The symposium concluded with a shared commitment to continuing regional collaboration. In a follow-up workshop, participants identified eleven practical projects that can be implemented now to deliver measurable improvements in water quality across the Dutch Caribbean. These projects include actions to improve wastewater treatment systems, expand coastal water monitoring, reduce nutrient runoff, strengthen policy frameworks, and engage local communitiesin water conservation. Together, they aim to create tangible benefits for both people and nature in the region.
More information about the presentations and symposium can be found here.

Collision between car and scooter EUX.

On Thursday, the 13th of November, around 5:20 PM, the central control room received a report of a collision with injuries on John E. Mars Road on Sint Eustatius. Upon arrival, the officers found that the collision had occurred between a scooter and a car. The driver of the scooter was injured after the car reversed and collided with the scooter that was behind the car.

In accordance with the “botsen is blazen” policy, both drivers were given a breathalyzer test. The alcohol level test showed that the driver of the car had consumed alcohol, but not more than the legal limit. The driver of the scooter did blow above the legal limit, but due to the priority of medical care, she was not arrested. However, the driver of the scooter was unable to show a driver's license and was fined for this.

Three More Schools to Receive Free Breakfast Starting January 2026.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) is pleased to announce the expansion of the national breakfast program, which will provide free daily breakfast to students at three additional schools beginning January 2026. This extension has been made possible through an XCG 50,000.00 allocation approved by Parliament.
The newly added schools are:
· Milton Peter College (MPC)
· Sundial School
· Ruby Labega Primary School
The breakfast program is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of VSA, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), and Rotary Club Sunrise, who have been key partners in ensuring students receive nutritious meals to start their day.
The expansion follows a motion submitted by Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg, which was approved on June 23, 2025, calling for broader support to ensure that no child attends school hungry. The motion emphasized that proper nutrition is essential to students’ concentration, academic performance, and overall well-being.
“No child should have to learn on an empty stomach,” MP Roseburg stated, underscoring the importance of the initiative for youth development and equity across the island.
Minister of VSA Richinel Brug expressed his support for the continued growth of the program: “Ensuring that our students are nourished and ready to learn is an investment in their future and in the future of Sint Maarten. We are grateful to our partners and to MP Roseburg for recognizing the importance of this initiative.”

Three More Schools to Receive Free Breakfast Starting January 2026.

65th Bi-Annual Meeting of CARICOM Central Bank Governors1.

Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) hosted the 65th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors on November 13–14, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel. Chaired by CBCS President Richard Doornbosch, the meeting brought together governors from eleven Caribbean jurisdictions to discuss regional economic developments and strengthen the resilience of the Caribbean’s financial systems. The central theme, “Resilience through Transformation”, guided deliberations on the global challenges, including those posed by climate risk.
On November 13, the CBCS hosted the 38th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture - a highlight of the 56th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC). This year’s keynote speaker was Jeanette Semeleer, President of the Centrale Bank van Aruba. In her address, titled “Aruba, From Isla Inutil to Isla Innovativo,” Mrs. Semeleer drew on Aruba’s experience with external shocks to emphasize that true economic resilience is not merely bouncing back, but also bouncing forward.
Governors underscored the importance of developing green finance taxonomies and outlined the key steps toward establishing a Regional Green Financial Taxonomy. As part of this initiative, the World Bank/IFC and CARICOM will engage stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulators, and supervisory bodies, to ensure that the taxonomy reflects the region’s specific needs and context.
The Governors agreed to move beyond the proof of concept of the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS) by starting a pilot involving The Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the ECCU as participating jurisdictions. CAPSS is being designed to deliver instant local currency payments across participating CARICOM countries.
They also highlighted the potential of digital innovation, particularly fast payment systems and digital payments, to advance financial inclusion, improve efficiency, and facilitate cross-border
1 Mrs. Jeanette Semeleer (Centrale Bank van Aruba), Dr. John Rolle (Central Bank of The Bahamas), Dr. Kevin Greenidge (Central Bank of Barbados), Mr. Kareem Michael (Central Bank of Belize), Mr. Richard Doornbosch (Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten), Dr. Timothy Antoine (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank), Dr. Gobind Ganga (Bank of Guyana), Mr. Ronald Gabriel (Banque de la République d’Haïti), Mr. Richard Byles (Bank of Jamaica), Mr. Maurice Roemer (Centrale Bank van Suriname), Mr. Larry Howai (Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago)
transactions across the Caribbean. They emphasized that, regardless of the technology adopted, public institutions must continue to play a central role in safeguarding the public’s interest.
Working groups and technical committees presented their reports, including updates from the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), the Caribbean Group of Banking Supervisors, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Group, the Regional Reserves Managers Group, the Central Bank Communication Working Group, and the HR Directors Working Group. These updates reinforced the importance of sustained cross-border collaboration in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global financial environment.
Another highlight of the AMSC was the Governors’ Panel Discussion “The Changing Role of the U.S. Dollar Amid Rising Stablecoins: Implications for Caribbean Resilience”. President Richard Doornbosch hosted the panel. It featured Governor Kareem Michael from the Central Bank of Belize, Governor John Rolle of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, and Governor Timothy Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The Governors explored the evolving role of the U.S. dollar amidst the rise of stablecoins and the implications for the Caribbean.
The Governors also examined the cybersecurity challenges facing central banks. They stressed the significance of strengthening cyber resilience and participated in an in-depth masterclass.
As the meeting concluded, Governors reaffirmed their collective commitment to deepening regional integration, enhancing financial stability, and advancing transformative initiatives across the Caribbean. President Richard Doornbosch expressed his appreciation for the constructive engagement, noting that unity and collective action are essential to navigating global uncertainties and external shocks.
The Governors will reconvene in May 2026 for the 66th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors under the chairmanship of Governor Kareem Michael of the Central Bank of Belize.
Willemstad, November 14, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN