PHILIPSBURG:--- In a recent meeting, the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication joined SCDF representatives to discuss Carnival 2025’s success and plan a forward-looking partnership agreement for upcoming celebrations. The talks revealed that Carnival is both an economic driver and a cultural highlight in the island’s society.

The Minister commended the Carnival event for its success in attracting large crowds and strengthening local commerce while highlighting St. Maarten’s cultural wealth. “Carnival is not only our most unifying cultural event, it is also a critical economic engine,” the Minister stated. “The success we saw in 2025 is a testament to the hard work of our local partners and the tangible benefits that a vibrant cultural program brings to our community.”

The Minister maintained that government investments in international projects like the Soul Beach Music Festival serve a wider strategic plan despite criticisms about neglecting local events. St. Maarten can both draw visitors during the low season and strengthen our economy by prolonging the high tourist season. This combined strategy establishes a dynamic environment enabling local cultural festivals to coexist with internationally recognized events, which benefits everyone involved.

At the meeting, participants discussed multiple innovative ideas to be included in the partnership agreement with SCDF, such as:

• Coordinated scheduling
• Strategic co-branding
• Enhanced safety protocols
• Visitor engagement and hospitality
• Future-oriented research and partnerships
• Technological integration

The draft partnership agreement presents these proposals, which demonstrate the government's dedication to building a dynamic cultural environment that benefits social cohesion and economic prosperity. By fine-tuning operational details such as the integration of tours from the harbor and selling international packages for accommodations and event tickets, the partnership’s goal is to endorse Carnival as a lasting economic and cultural asset for the island.

President of the SCDF Edward Radjouki said: “It is encouraging to see that discussions with the government on a long-term agreement for Carnival are progressing in a meaningful way. Carnival 2025 was, in large part, successful due to the commitment Minister Heyliger-Marten made to the festival. Now, the focus must shift to making Carnival sustainable through steadfast collaboration, marketing support, and outside-the-box thinking. We have always maintained that with the proper support, St. Maarten’s Carnival would be unmatched in the Northeastern Caribbean. As we prepare to celebrate the 55th edition of Carnival, we look forward, together with the government, to further developing the country’s largest calendar event.”

The Minister reiterated, “Our strategic investments in events like Carnival and the Soul Beach Music Festival are not mutually exclusive. Our tourism sector benefits from a domino effect when we build up our local events calendar. The economic success created by these festivals plays a crucial role in maintaining our cultural distinctiveness and supporting the public services essential to our community’s functioning.”

The revitalized focus on event programming and tourism development seeks to win critics over by showing that all investments are deliberately designed to deliver lasting positive outcomes. The partnership with the SCDF and the standards set by Carnival 2025 will lead to a new period of cultural festivals alongside economic strength and community solidarity.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Just shy of one year ago, on International Plastic Free Day 2024, Perpetual Plastics, a plastic recycling social workspace under the EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) Foundation, was officially opened. To celebrate our first anniversary, Perpetual Plastics will be hosting an artisanal market focused on sustainable and local products. Various vendors, such as soap and candle makers, vendors with locally made food and drink items, farm items, plants, second-hand goods, recycled and upcycled items, as well as locally made arts and crafts, will be joining. A tour of the facility and all we do at the workspace will also be provided. 

A pre-seasonal market was hosted last year November, with great success. Proving it to be a great way to demonstrate how you as an individual, business or foundation are making a positive impact environmentally, socially, and/or culturally and traditionally, as all vendors adhere to one or multiple of these concepts with their creations.

There are still a few slots open for vendors, if interested please WhatsApp +1 721 580 5240 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to having you join us in celebrating a more sustainable and creative future, on Saturday, May 24^th, from 4 to 7PM, at 125 Union Road, Cole Bay.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Exciting news for young readers and educators alike! The Mystery of Turtle Island (L’Anse Kawet), the debut book in the thrilling new children’s adventure series The Lost Island of Laborie is making waves and is now available for purchase. This thrilling children’s fiction tale follows four best friends as they navigate the aftermath of a hurricane, searching for their families while uncovering hidden lessons about nature, friendship, perseverance, and courage.

Set on the enchanting islet of L’Anse Kawet, known only to village elders and the sea creatures of the Caribbean, the book blends adventure with cultural richness of the village. When not exploring the waters, the young heroes engage in traditional games passed down through generations, celebrating African, French, and indigenous influences that form the vibrant fabric of their community.

Writing under the pen name “Terre,” a cherished native name from his grandmother meaning “Earth,” Peterson honours his roots and pays tribute to the elders and cultural icons who helped shape his early life. He embraces his cultural heritage in this heartwarming adventure, and his storytelling pays homage to iconic figures from his childhood, sharing their wisdom and well-known adages with a new generation.

A Must-Read for Young Adventurers. Aimed at children aged 6 to 11, The Mystery of Turtle Island captivates with action-packed storytelling and vivid imagery. Readers are introduced to native Creole words through an engaging glossary with completed translation, making the book an excellent resource for educators celebrating Creole Heritage Day, Jounen Kweyol, and International Mother Tongue Day.

Meet the Author. Terre T. J. Peterson is a dynamic transformational leader, father, motivational speaker, and human rights advocate. Peterson holds multiple advanced degrees, including an LL.M, MBA, and M.Phil. His professional journey spans education, law, public service, and finance - where he has led with vision, passion, dedication, and a commitment to uplifting communities.

Praise for The Mystery of Turtle Island:

“An adventure like no other! Four best friends go on a wild journey filled with mystery and excitement. This story is eye-catching and keeps you on the edge of your seat!” – Tajah

“A page-turning mystery! Packed with action and surprises, the mix of words and fun pictures makes it even more exciting. We couldn’t stop reading!” – Regal

Where to Buy. The Mystery of Turtle Island (L’Anse Kawet) is available now at BookBaby, with wider release across major bookstores set for June 30, 2025.

Buy now at BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-mystery-of-turtle-island

Available for preorders on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0ny4cVH

For more on the author, visit his LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/peterson-terry-769b47140

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE):---  The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten Drs. Gracita Arrindell represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) with the theme “Cyber Resilience for Development.”

In the presence of policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives, Minister Arrindell at the opening ceremony in her statement by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, “The digital revolution has transformed our world in unprecedented ways. It has connected us across continents, fueled economic growth, and empowered individuals. Yet, with these immense opportunities come equally significant challenges.

“Today, the digital domain is increasingly contested. We witness a concerning rise in cyber threats, digital oppression and attempts to fragment the global internet. The Kingdom of the Netherlands firmly believes that an open, free, and secure digital future is possible—but only through collaborative effort and shared responsibility.

“This is why cyber capacity building stands at the heart of our International Cyber Strategy and why we have proudly been the largest supporter to the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise over the past decade.”

Arrindell added: “The Kingdom of the Netherlands has endorsed the Accra call for cyber resilient development. We recognize how cyber capacity building is an integral part of sustainable development. That is also why we work together within the European Union with other partners to develop programmes with an integrated approach to digital transformation.”

Arrindell: “The complex challenges we face in cyberspace cannot be addressed by governments alone. A truly effective approach to cyber capacity building must embrace the multi-stakeholder model that has been the foundation of internet governance from its inception.

“In closing, the digital future we seek—open, free, and secure—does not exist by chance. It must be deliberately maintained through shared effort and mutual support. The Kingdom of the Netherlands stands ready to partner with you all in this vital work.”

During her closing remarks at the session on, “Towards a Cyber and Climate Resilient Digital Transition,” Minister Arrindell reflections were delivered on behalf of Sint Maarten.

“The path forward must be guided by two fundamental principles that emerged clearly from our discussions: First, integration is non-negotiable. Sustainability and security cannot operate in separate domains or follow disconnected road maps. Every digital solution deployed for climate resilience must undergo rigorous security evaluation from inception. Every renewable energy infrastructure project must incorporate cyber protection as a core design element. This isn't optional, it’s foundational to genuine resilience.

“Second, collaboration across traditional boundaries is essential. After all hurricanes do not stop at the border. The challenges of the twin transition transcend individual stakeholder capabilities. We need cooperation between technology developers and climate scientists, between security experts and sustainability practitioners, between public sector policymakers and private sector innovators and between developed nations and emerging economies.

“This important topic underscores the realities of the time we live in. Fragmentation is no longer an option. Fostering stronger partnerships increases global resilience. For Sint Maarten, follow up with concise steps forward from both public and private sectors is imperative for governments large or small in regard to identifying, and or updating existing rules and regulations thereby anchoring the relevant information in a transparent manner necessary to face these challenges head-on.

“Therefore, in the best interest of our community, sooner rather than later, we must decide on a coherent strategy for becoming a Cyber resilient nation similar to the manner in which Sint Maarten has an emergency response structure in place such as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) where all entities are aware and familiar with each other’s actions in case of a calamity.

“After all, as I shared at the closing statement with the Conference, hurricanes do not stop at the border, neither does Cybercrime,” Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell concluded.  

The GC3B took place in Geneva, Switzerland from May 13-14.