Ottawa, Canada:--- Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of Parliament, was welcomed to the Council Meeting of ParlAmericas on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, following the unanimous approval to establish a new category of membership —Associate Member— and to invite the Parliament of Sint Maarten to officially join ParlAmericas as an Associate Member.

ParlAmericas is an international organization that brings together the national parliaments of countries across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. It serves as a platform for parliamentarians to cooperate, share ideas, and engage in political dialogue on regional issues. Its primary objective is to strengthen democracy, governance, and human rights by promoting collaboration, exchanging best legislative practices, and supporting legislators in their work within their respective parliaments and countries.

As ParlAmericas marks its 25th anniversary, the introduction of an Associate Membership category demonstrates the organization’s commitment to fostering inclusive parliamentary dialogue, cooperation, and democratic participation across the hemisphere. While ParlAmericas’ membership has historically aligned with the Organization of American States (OAS), particularly regarding sovereign state representation, the Council of ParlAmericas recognized the unique constitutional status of Sint Maarten. As a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten possesses its own constitution and an independent national parliament, exercising full internal self-governance in domestic legislative matters. The Kingdom of the Netherlands currently holds Permanent Observer status within the OAS, reflecting its recognized presence in hemispheric multilateral systems.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten began actively participating in ParlAmericas activities in 2023, following a 2022 parliamentary decision to intensify regional cooperation at the parliamentary level and to engage more actively with regional parliamentary bodies. Since then, the Parliament of Sint Maarten has participated in several plenary assemblies, network (committee) meetings, workshops, and study visits. Commenting on this milestone, President Wescot-Williams stated: “This formal recognition strengthens the resolve of the Sint Maarten Parliament for more openness and transparency, community outreach and involvement.”

Associate Membership provides the Parliament of Sint Maarten with the opportunity to participate in ParlAmericas activities, meetings, and networks; attend Council meetings with a (no-voting) voice; access knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives; and engage in parliamentary dialogue across the region. It also allows participation in the Executive Committee of any ParlAmericas network, limited to a Vice-President position for the Caribbean.

This milestone follows discussions initiated in March 2024 between the President of Parliament, the Secretary General of Parliament, and the Director and staff of ParlAmericas, building upon the Parliament’s 2022 decision. The President further noted, “I see wider learning opportunities for MPs and my hope is that this type of networking expands our horizons to more effectively represent our people amidst the huge global challenges confronting countries, near and far.”

A delegation of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, comprising the Hon. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of Parliament, and Members of Parliament the Hon. Egbert J. Doran, the Hon. Lyndon C.J. Lewis, the Hon. Ludmila N.L. de Weever, and the Hon. Viren V. Kotai, is currently in Ottawa, Canada, participating in the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and the 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, held under the theme: “Parliamentary Leadership for Shared Prosperity: Advancing Trade, Innovation, and Security in a Changing World.”

Upon their return, the decision of the Council of ParlAmericas to officially invite the Parliament of Sint Maarten to join as an Associate Member will be tabled in a Public meeting of Parliament for ratification, thereby formally concluding this strategic trajectory pursued by Parliament in recent years.

~Department of Youth Encourages Youth Registration and Calls on the Private Sector to Support Workforce Development and Meaningful Youth Participation~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Youth is pleased to announce that registration is now officially open for the 28th Annual Edition of the Business Outreach & Placement Program (BOPP).
For nearly three decades, BOPP has continued to provide youth on Sint Maarten with valuable opportunities to gain practical work experience, strengthen their professional skills, and prepare for future career pathways through placements within both the public and private sectors. Over the years, the program has also evolved into an important platform for youth engagement and youth participation by empowering youth to actively contribute within professional environments, build confidence, share innovative ideas, and become more meaningfully involved in national development.
The 2026 BOPP Program is scheduled to run from July 6th to July 31st, 2026, and is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24. Eligible applicants include High School Form 3 and Form 4 students, as well as students currently pursuing their first year of tertiary-level education. In this regard, the Department of Youth is encouraging interested students to register as soon as possible, as spaces are limited and registration will close once the program reaches full capacity.
Through BOPP, participants gain exposure to professional work environments while developing essential workplace skills, including communication, teamwork, responsibility, punctuality, and professionalism. Additionally, the program serves as an important bridge between education and the labor market, helping youth gain early-career exposure, practical experience, and opportunities to contribute their perspectives and talents across various sectors of society.
In alignment with the Department’s continued commitment to youth development, youth engagement, and meaningful youth participation, BOPP remains one of Sint Maarten’s longest-running initiatives dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering youth.
In this regard, the Department of Youth is also making a strong appeal to the private sector, businesses, and organizations across Sint Maarten to partner with the program by offering placement opportunities for participating youth.
The Department emphasizes that the continued success and expansion of BOPP depend heavily on the support and collaboration of community stakeholders and corporate partners who help provide meaningful exposure and mentorship opportunities for the nation’s youth.
Moreover, by participating in BOPP, businesses not only contribute to youth development and workforce readiness but also benefit from the fresh perspectives, creativity, and support that youth can bring into the workplace. The program also provides employers with an opportunity to help shape the next generation of professionals and identify future talent.
Interested persons and organizations may contact the Department of Youth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1 (721) 542-2709 for additional information. Furthermore, updates and announcements will also be shared via the Department of Youth SXM Facebook page.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The finalization of the investigation into the police-involved shooting that occurred on St. Peter's Road on February 13,
In 2026,  was transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office in Curaçao. This step was taken to ensure the continued objectivity and independence of the case for all
parties involved.
The investigation itself remains in the hands of the National Detectives (Landsrecherche), who are conducting the independent inquiry under the
supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.
As previously reported, officers of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) responded to reports of a man walking along St. Peter's Road while carrying a
firearm. During the ensuing interaction, police discharged their weapons. The man was struck and died at the scene.
Under Sint Maarten law, every incident involving the discharge of a police firearm is automatically subject to an independent investigation by the National Detectives.
The investigation includes the collection and analysis of forensic evidence, witness interviews, and a review of all relevant material. Video footage of the incident was
secured shortly after the shooting and has been reviewed as part of the investigation. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the use of
force was lawful.
The Prosecutor’s Office is aware of the impact this incident has had on the deceased's family, the officers involved, and the wider community.
As the investigation and decision-making process are still ongoing, no further substantive information can be provided at this time.
The Prosecutor’s Office asks the public to allow the investigative and decision-making process to take its course.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten has launched a public survey to gather essential data on the impacts of sargassum seaweed on Sint Maarten. Carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), the study’s findings will directly inform and guide future government management decisions.

The survey invites participation from residents, business owners, and tourists on Sint Maarten. This inclusive approach aims to measure the health, social, and economic consequences of sargassum seaweed, a brown macroalgae that accumulates on shorelines in massive quantities. The data collected will provide a technical foundation for Sint Maarten to develop a sustainable management strategy.

While residents have often pointed to the variety of actions being taken by other islands across the Caribbean—including floating barriers and processing for cosmetic and building purposes—the Nature Foundation cautions that these initiatives are still in their pilot phases, require substantial financial investment, and may not be suitable for Sint Maarten’s unique environmental and economic context.

“The results of this survey will help Sint Maarten stop reacting to sargassum and start planning for it,” said a spokesperson for the Nature Foundation. “Specific data is vital for the government to make evidence-based decisions for successful and cost-effective actions where it is most needed, rather than hopeful but ultimately expensive, scattered, and ineffective initiatives.”

The study is being conducted in collaboration with a research student from Polytech Grenoble INP, France, under the supervision of the Nature Foundation, and includes on-site sargassum monitoring fieldwork. It represents the first phase of a two-step approach to help the government identify which mitigation strategies will be most effective locally.

“The longstanding approach to combatting sargassum—collecting on beaches—is the cheapest, but this seaweed’s growing presence has a negative impact on health, quality of life, and our tourism product. This survey will help in defining a more strategic, long-term plan for managing sargassum,” stated Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs.

As this study is commissioned by the Government of Sint Maarten, data collection is focused on the Dutch side of the island. The form should take less than ten minutes to complete, and participants can access the questionnaire via the following link: https://forms.gle/KcZnHoq5JCWZ9FiP7 or on the Nature Foundation’s official website and social media channels.