PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina will be travelling to the Netherlands from December 6–13, 2025, as part of a previously scheduled working visit that remains a priority for Sint Maarten. The importance of this mission has increased following a meeting held this afternoon with the Prime Ministers of Curaçao, Mr. Gilmar Pisas, and the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mr. Mike Eman. During that consultation, Prime Minister Mercelina was mandated by his colleagues to represent all three Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, ensuring that he would be on the ground to receive first-hand information on ongoing developments between the United States and Venezuela.

“Given the evolving landscape in our region, Sint Maarten must remain actively engaged at the highest diplomatic levels. My presence in the Netherlands is essential to ensure that our country’s security, safety, perspectives, and priorities are clearly represented,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina; hence my scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Dick Schoof, coming Monday, December 8, 2025.

The working visit also follows earlier bilateral discussions in New York with Kingdom partners, where cooperation, preparedness, and international developments were among the main topics. Reflecting on the broader regional dynamic, the Prime Minister added, “Considering Aruba and Curaçao’s geographical proximity to areas of heightened concern, it is understandable that my colleagues may face constraints in attending certain sessions in person. Their continued participation through official representatives allows our shared work to continue effectively and cohesively.”

During the visit, Prime Minister Mercelina will take part in a full program of strategic engagements, including consultations with the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague discussions with the VNG, and other high-level multilateral meetings. He also intends to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr. van Weel, to address international matters and developments relevant to the Kingdom, as well as the ongoing tension in the Caribbean.

In addition to these governmental engagements, the Prime Minister will participate in the Inter-Expo conference in The Hague, which will focus on the future prospects of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 15 years after 10/10/10. During this three-day conference, he will contribute to panel discussions alongside regional leaders and experts, including former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende en Mr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin. He will also deliver a keynote address focusing on the constitutional autonomy.
The Government of Sint Maarten will continue to provide updates as the Prime Minister’s working visit progresses.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) proudly kicked off the first day of its annual Safety Fair yesterday, bringing employees and airport partners together for an engaging and informative celebration of workplace safety. The event continues today with its second and final day, and all staff and stakeholders are encouraged to join the activities.
Held in the Meet & Greet Area (Arrival Hall), the Safety Fair runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and features multiple interactive booths, live demonstrations, fun quizzes, and safety-focused games. Participants can collect stamps by visiting each booth for a chance to win exciting prizes, while learning valuable safety practices that help keep our airport community protected every day.
This year’s theme — “Safety! Go home as you came in” — highlights SXM Airport’s commitment to ensuring that every employee finishes their workday safely. The fair emphasizes accident prevention, awareness, and building a culture where safety remains a shared responsibility.
Connally Connor, SXM Airport’s Quality Assurance Manager, emphasized the importance of community engagement in maintaining a culture of safety:
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. When we educate, involve, and empower our airport community, we strengthen our entire operation. This fair is a reminder that every action counts and that going home safely is our number one priority.”
SXM Airport extends its appreciation to all departments and partners who contributed to making this year’s Safety Fair both educational and enjoyable.

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, December 4, 2025, His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly of Sint Maarten welcomed His Excellency Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt of Aruba and His Excellency Governor Mauritsz de Kort of Curaçao to Sint Maarten.
The Governors’ visit is in connection with the scheduled activities commemorating the historic milestone of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Saba Day, taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025. The official Saba Day ceremony will be held in The Bottom, Saba, beginning with an Ecumenical Service, followed by the Hoisting of the Saba Flag, a Cultural Parade, and the Official Ceremony, concluding with a grand toast.
Following the day’s formal program, the delegation will partake in a separate private program on the island of Saba before returning to Sint Maarten. Their joint presence underscores the close ties among the islands and highlights the spirit of unity within the Dutch Caribbean.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  As Christmas lights go up around homes and businesses, exercising extreme caution is vital to prevent electrical fires and injuries this holiday season.

Parents and family members should keep in mind some holiday safety tips where it concerns decorations and the Christmas tree. The season is all about family togetherness, and we would like everyone to have a safe holiday season, incident-free.

Every year the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department that falls under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, as part of its calendar of observances, highlights and creates awareness where it concerns holiday safety.

Check out this list of holiday season safety tips:

Trees:
• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Check regularly to avoid mosquito breeding. Place the tree out of the way of foot traffic and do not block doorways or exits.
Lights:
• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.
• Use no more than three standard size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights - they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.
• Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.
Decorations:
• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
• Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.