PHILIPSBURG:--- On the morning of Friday, October 31, 2025, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) welcomed students and teachers from the St. Dominic Primary School to the Philipsburg Police Station for an educational visit.

During their time at the station, the students received a brief explanation about the many roles and responsibilities of the police officers' daily work. The visit also included a guided tour of the station, led by School Resource Officer (SRO) Brigadier A. Blijden.

This initiative forms part of KPSM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community relations and encourage positive engagement between law enforcement and the youth of Sint Maarten.

The KPSM Management Team extends its sincere appreciation to the management and teachers of St. Dominic Primary School, SRO Brigadier Blijden, and everyone who contributed to making the visit a pleasant and educational experience for the students.

KPSM remains committed to fostering trust and understanding between the police and the community through continued outreach and educational programs.

KPSM Press Release.

 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) conducted preventive control operations over the weekend in the Simpson Bay area. These actions were carried out with the approval of the Prosecutor’s Office and were aimed at enhancing public safety, particularly in relation to the possession of firearms and illegal drugs.

Several locations in Simpson Bay were checked during the operation, including the Kimsha Beach parking lot. During these controls, Officers also carried out checks targeting illegal scooters and motorcycles on public roads.

In total,  seven (7) scooters were impounded for either lacking proper documentation or failing to meet the technical requirements for road use. Additionally, approximately 50 individuals were stopped and searched, while 10 vehicles were subjected to detailed inspection.

The operation was a coordinated effort involving personnel from various KPSM departments and the VKS (Volunteer Corps of Sint Maarten). The controls took place during the late hours of October 31, 2025, and continued into the early morning of November 1, 2025.

As the high season approaches, KPSM will continue to expand these types of preventative operations across the island. These actions are part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors alike.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) receives final draft of Sint Maarten’s 10-year mental health vision and strategic plan for 2025 through 2035: “Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities”. The draft vision and accompanying plan outline a shared direction for improving mental health and well-being across Sint Maarten, aiming to build a resilient, inclusive, and person-centered mental health system that ensures timely, affordable, and high-quality support for all residents.

The draft plan was developed under one of the components of the Mental Health Project (MHP), which is funded through the trust fund, and is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) in close cooperation with the Ministry of VSA and with technical guidance from the Trimbos Institute, a leading Dutch expertise center for mental health and addiction care.

Minister of VSA, Hon. Richinel Brug, expressed his appreciation for the extensive work done by all partners, noting, “This draft vision represents an important milestone. It gives Sint Maarten a clear, inclusive direction for strengthening mental health care over the next decade. I commend the professionals, stakeholders, and community members who contributed to this process. The Ministry will now review the draft to ensure it fully aligns with our national priorities and the needs of our people.”

The Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities draft promotes the understanding that mental health and well-being are part of everyday life, and that seeking help is a sign of strength. It reflects Sint Maarten’s commitment to prevention, early help, and recovery-focused services that make support easier to find and use.

The draft 10-year Strategic Plan was formulated in close collaboration with local professionals and organizations, drawing input from two years of consultations, sounding-board sessions, and a final validation workshop. Participants included the Mental Health Foundation, Turning Point Foundation, White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation, Sint Maarten Medical Center, independent psychologists, general practitioners, Student Support Services Division, SZV, NGOs, community representatives, and persons with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

NRPB Director Claret Connor remarked: “The vision was shaped by Sint Maarteners themselves — professionals, community members, and people with lived experience who shared their insights and expertise. With VSA’s leadership and Trimbos’ technical guidance under the Mental Health Project, we are now close to completing a document that will guide implementation in the years ahead.”

The draft Strategic Plan is structured around four focus areas:

1. Network of Support: linking community help desks, primary care, peer support, and specialist services, while introducing supported housing and reintegration programs.
2. Start Well, Stay Well: strengthening prevention and awareness throughout life stages, from schools to workplaces and families.
3. Mental Health in All Policies and Sectors: ensuring sound governance, sustainable financing, and updated legislation to protect rights and improve quality of care.
4. Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation: promoting data use, user feedback, and digital tools for continuous improvement.

The Ministry of VSA will review the draft in the coming weeks before finalizing and formally adopting Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities as Sint Maarten’s official mental health vision and strategic plan.

Willemstad:---  Recently, a historic event took place at the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort: the Statutory General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS). The conference brought together delegations from more than fifty countries, including policymakers and representatives of international organizations, and marked a highlight in Curaçao’s international presence within multilateral cooperation and policy dialogue. The hybrid meeting marked the conclusion of Curaçao’s presidency of AICESIS, the global organization uniting over seventy economic and social councils. After two years of intensive collaboration, diplomacy, and knowledge exchange, Curaçao officially handed over the presidency to Greece, with a heartfelt promise to continue offering support wherever needed.

On October 30, the first board meeting took place, followed by an inspiring workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI). During this session, two international keynote speakers, one representing the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and one from the UNESCO office of the Caribbean, set the stage by linking the theme of the workshop to global policy action. The central theme, “Harnessing AI for good requires aligned action by governments, social partners, and international institutions,” highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, social partners, and international organizations to fully realize AI’s positive potential. Topics discussed included new forms of work, data laborers, the impact of working conditions, AI literacy, and data integrity.

The official ceremony on Friday, October 31, was opened by the Secretary-General of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, Mr. Raul Henriquez, and featured inspiring addresses from outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn, and Prime Minister of Curaçao Gilmar Pisas. Acting Governor Michèle Russel-Capriles was present for the opening ceremony. The atmosphere was warm, proud, and deeply meaningful: a reflection of how far Curaçao has come on the global stage of socio-economic dialogue.

Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas emphasized in his speech the importance of collaboration and inclusion in times of global uncertainty: “The presence of AICESIS reminds us that dialogue remains the most powerful instrument of governance and peace. When governments, employers, and workers collaborate as equals, societies rediscover their shared purpose amidst diversity.”

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, advocated for a responsible and inclusive application of artificial intelligence in education, stating: “Our vision is clear: technology must serve humanity. AI should strengthen education, protect privacy, and promote equal access. By linking innovation with inclusion, we can intertwine democracy and development.”

Outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs reflected with pride on two fruitful years of Curaçao’s leadership: “Development is not a race for output, but a pursuit of balance between innovation and cohesion, prosperity and responsibility. Our collaboration with the UN, ILO, and EU shows that dialogue and trust remain the foundations of inclusive growth.”

During the General Assembly the SER of Curaçao was accepted again as a Board member for the Latin American and Caribbean Region for the upcoming two (2) years and Mrs. Sboui-Racamy, Senior Advisor at the SER of Curaçao was appointed again as Vice Secretary General for our region and as such will coordinate a project with the Hungarian Professor Gustáv Báger using their counterparts in Brazil as an example. The General Assembly concluded with a second board meeting chaired by the new president, the Economic and Social Council of Greece (OKE), Mr. Ioannis Paidas. What began as a formal moment of transition evolved into a celebration of cooperation, mutual trust, and the shared belief that even a small island can make a big impact on the world. The international delegation also enjoyed a carefully curated cultural and social program that offered them a genuine taste of Curaçao’s warmth, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.