THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE):---  Recently, the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) held its annual Ministerial Conference in an online format. Minister Plenipotentiary Drs represented Sint Maarten. Gracita R. Arrindell and the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary, Carol Voges.

The Ministerial Conference is OCTA’s highest governing body, composed of the heads of government or designated representatives of each member territory. Its purpose is to define political direction, approve financial and policy frameworks, and appoint the chair and members of OCTA’s Executive Committee.

Eleven of the thirteen OCTA members participated in this year’s conference, during which both the 2024 financial accounts and the organisation’s 2025 budget were formally approved.

The 2025 budget has been further streamlined in order to increase OCTA’s operational efficiency for this year.

Looking ahead, the Ministerial Conference mandated the Executive Committee (ExCo) to begin drafting a joint OCT white paper. This document will serve as a shared contribution to the negotiations of the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the 2028-2034 period.

The MFF sets the EU’s long-term budget priorities and spending ceilings over a seven-year cycle. For the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), it determines the scope and scale of EU funding and cooperation mechanisms, including regional and thematic programs.

The MFF negotiations with the EU will be conducted by the member states France, the Netherlands, and Denmark on behalf of the OCTs. Among other matters, the allocation of financial contributions to each OCT will be defined during this process.

~CHTA NAMES CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP AWARD WINNERS AND LAUNCHES BEST PRACTICES GUIDE~

MIAMI, Fla.:--- With Caribbean coral reefs under increasing threat from climate change, overfishing, and coastal development, the region’s tourism industry is stepping up. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), through its Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, recently hosted a webinar launching the new Caribbean Coral Reef Stewardship Best Practices Brief, featuring the winners of its inaugural Caribbean Coral Reef Tourism Stewardship Awards.

During the virtual event, the winning organizations presented their projects and shared best practices for reef conservation that are also showcased in the Brief. Together, these efforts spotlight how tourism stakeholders can help protect one of the Caribbean’s most vital natural assets.

New Best Practices Guide to Inspire Reef-Focused Tourism

The Best Practices Brief profiles three successful, uniquely different models of reef stewardship led by tourism operators. It offers actionable guidance on how hotels, resorts, dive operators and tourism businesses can collaborate with communities, NGOs, and government agencies to protect and restore coral ecosystems. From innovative coral gardening and habitat mapping to creative community engagement and education, the Brief demonstrates how environmental protection can also create economic and social benefits.

Recognizing Leadership in Coral Conservation

Building on the Brief’s recommendations, CHTA honored organizations setting new standards for coral protection through education, innovation, and collaboration.

“This is not only about preserving coral reefs; it’s about honoring the deep connection between nature and the people of the Caribbean,” said Karolin Troubetzkoy, Acting Chair for CAST.  “When hotels and tourism-related businesses, communities, and conservationists come together, we’re protecting our heritage, safeguarding our investments, sustaining livelihoods, and ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty of these ecosystems. These awardees show what’s possible when sustainability is a shared commitment.”

2025 Caribbean Coral Reef Tourism Stewardship Awards Winners:

1st Place – Aquanauts Grenada
This Scuba Schools International (SSI) dive center has transformed invasive reef-damaging lionfish into an opportunity for conservation and community building. Through Lionfish Bites & Beats—a vibrant event combining live music, culinary experiences, and education—and the Aqua Rangers Youth Development Scholarship, Aquanauts has removed thousands of lionfish, funded marine conservation training for local youth, and created a replicable model blending education and public awareness-building, economic resilience and reef stewardship.

1st Runner-Up – Jamaica Inn Foundation, Ocho Rios
Jamaica Inn’s longstanding commitment to reef protection is embodied in the White River Fish Sanctuary, a 370-acre marine protected area which they helped to create and is co-managed with local stakeholders. Combining coral restoration, habitat mapping, and community education, with the unique engagement of local fishers, the Sanctuary has increased fish biomass by 500 percent while fostering sustainable livelihoods and scientific research.

2nd Runner-Up – Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
Through its Reef Garden Initiative, Round Hill has become a pioneer in tourism-led reef restoration. In partnership with Seascape Caribbean and the Government of Jamaica, the resort has applied silvicultural coral propagation techniques, engaged local fishers as reef gardeners, and integrated guest experiences that connect travelers directly with conservation. The initiative shows how ecological impact and elevated guest engagement can go hand in hand.

These winning projects demonstrate how tourism, guided by strong partnerships and science-backed strategies, can drive both environmental restoration and sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean.

Tourism stakeholders are encouraged to explore the Best Practices Brief, share it across their networks, and draw inspiration from these leading examples. To access the full recording of the webinar and presentation decks, visit: https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/commitment-initiatives.

The Brief, webinar and supporting research undertaken by CHTA/CAST to identify best practices by tourism industry stakeholders were made possible in part by support from The Nature Conservancy and the United Nations Environment Programme.  

For more information about CHTA and CAST, visit: https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.  Additional research and support information is available at The Nature Conservancy’s site: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean. 

St. Martin:--- Under the inspiring global theme “Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform – Together We Shape a Sustainable Future,” Business and Professional Women Concordia St. Martin gathered on June 29th for its Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony; an event steeped in tradition, symbolism, and an unwavering commitment to women’s advancement.

The Candle Lighting Ceremony is a cherished tradition within Business and Professional Women International (BPWI), symbolizing the light each woman carries within her and the collective flame that ignites progress around the world.

Each candle lit represents an enduring vision of unity, hope, and action, connecting women of every generation, profession, and community across the globe.

This year’s ceremony powerfully honored that legacy. During the evening, the new executive board was formally installed, marking a new chapter of dedicated leadership and service for the organization. The installation was graciously conducted by member Sharanne Gibbs. The newly installed officers are:

• President: Catherine Magdeleine
• Vice President of Membership:

              Kathia Magdeleine

• Secretary: Sophia Carti
• Treasurer: Emelinda Lake
• Assistant Treasurer: Sharanne Gibbs

Before the ceremonial lighting of the candles, members and guests were inspired by a stirring keynote address delivered by member Danielle Chance. In her address, Ms. Chance reminded all present why this ceremony matters; not only as a tribute to the courageous women who paved the way, but as a call to action for the next generation of Caribbean women leaders.

She emphasized that each candle represents courage, connection, and a shared responsibility to light the way where darkness still remains.

The symbolic candle lighting was then beautifully conducted by members Suzanne Scantaberry and Luciana Vera Gomez, who led attendees in renewing their commitment to inspire, innovate, empower, and transform together.

As the flames flickered brightly, the room was filled with a shared sense of purpose and promise: that every member of BPW Concordia will continue to carry this light into boardrooms, communities, and corridors of power, ensuring that no woman is left behind on the journey to equality and sustainable progress.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE):---  On Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, the Netherlands commemorated its history of slavery at the National Slavery Monument in Oosterpark, Amsterdam. Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita R. Arrindell laid a wreath at the monument on behalf of Sint Maarten.

Wreaths were also laid by Carlson Manuel, Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, and Joselin S. Croes, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba.

On July 1st, 1863, the Netherlands enacted a law to abolish slavery. After a ten-year transitional period, the actual abolition came into effect in 1873. Hundreds of attendees were addressed by several speakers, including Silveria Jacobs, former Prime Minister of Sint Maarten; outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof; Wendeline Flores, Vice Chair of NiNsee; and Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema.

The National Commemoration of the Dutch Slavery Past is organized by NiNsee, the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy. NiNsee collects, manages, and shares knowledge about this shared history.

In addition to the official commemoration, the “breaking of the chains” was celebrated at Museumplein during the Keti Koti Festival.