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August 25, 2025: An ambitious agenda, covering the multiplicity of risks that cut across every dimension of national development, has been unveiled for the 2nd Wider Caribbean Regional Risk Conference, set for September 3–4, 2025. The event, which will be delivered online and in-person in Barbados, is being jointly hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), CCRIF SPC – the Caribbean and Central America parametric insurance facility and development insurer, and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The conference agenda reflects the scale and complexity of the challenges facing the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) and over 40 high-level experts from Caribbean, Central American and international organizations are confirmed to participate. Speakers and presenters will discuss the economic, social and environmental risks being faced by the WCR, as well as governance challenges and share best practices, lessons learned and innovative solutions to advance the sustainability agenda of the WCR. Organisers are aiming to attract more than 2,000 participants – virtually and face-to-face – to share their views, perspectives and lived experience. Speakers, panelists and other participants will draft policy statements to help shape initiatives and solutions to advance collective action to address the challenges faced across the WCR. The conference includes 7 panel discussions and 3 café corners or expert dialogues covering topics such as: · Economic Tensions, Uncertainty and Geoeconomic Confrontations: Navigating these new Global Economic Relations · Sovereign Risk and Financial Sustainability in the Caribbean: Strategic Financing and MDB Interventions · Loss and Damage and Climate Finance: Emerging Trends, Challenges and Opportunities · The Region's Response to the Global Sense of Social Fragmentation · The Role of Nature-Based Solutions: Keys to Building a Resilient Caribbean · Unlocking Private Sector Potential & Risk-Sharing Solutions for Sustainable Development Sessions will probe the ripple effects of intensifying global trade tensions, new tariff regimes, and shifting supply chains on the region’s growth prospects. Participants will also engage with rating agencies, central banks, and multilateral institutions on strategies to strengthen sovereign risk management, enhance fiscal resilience, and navigate the debt vulnerabilities that limit development space for SIDS. The conference will also explore the new threats posed by misinformation and disinformation, while looking at both the threats and opportunities posed by AI. Focus will also be placed on sharing the importance of scaling up efforts around detection and attribution science as countries in the WCR seek to address climate justice issues by enhancing climate-related loss and damage estimations and increasing access to climate finance. Private sector development will also be in the spotlight, with leaders from finance, multilateral development banks, and entrepreneurship addressing how innovative risk-sharing mechanisms, blended finance, and co-financing models can unlock access to capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises and strengthen regional supply chains. In addition, recognizing that nature remains the region’s first line of defence, discussions will explore the role of ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions in buffering climate risks, and the investments needed to scale up adaptation through the blue, green, and yellow economies. Another session will confront the rise of inequality and fragmentation in Caribbean societies, examining how community leadership, innovation, and policy reform can prevent instability and reinforce cohesion. The conference will also include a Youth Forum - where 6th form students and other young persons from throughout the region will engage face-to-face and online to discuss their ideas around risk in their countries and communities, and solutions and visions for advancing sustainable development in the WCR. Registration for the 2nd Wider Caribbean Regional Risk Conference is now open at: Registration - Caribbean Regional Risk Conference. The full conference agenda is available at: 2nd Wider Caribbean Regional Risk Conference.
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Aviation Internship Program Cari-Aire Gets Official Relaunch.
AMSTERDAM:--- The aviation internship program Cari-Aire was officially relaunched last week. This took place at the Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten in The Hague. This internship program aims to strengthen the aviation sector on all six islands. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) and the Caribbean aviation authorities, implemented in collaboration with the WeConnect Foundation. Four interns will begin a five-month internship in September with the aviation authorities of Sint Maarten, at the healthcare institution Fundashon Mariadal (in collaboration with Bonaire Airport), and at Saba Airport.
Relaunch
The first cohort of the Cari-Aire program has now graduated. Antillean Ghyslaine Sambo, for example, successfully completed her internship with the aviation authorities of Curaçao. She looks back with satisfaction and believes she learned a great deal from her practical experience: “I did a trial internship, so I was deployed in a versatile way. I especially enjoyed the fieldwork and found it educational!”
Aruba native Charles Huntington interned with the Aruban aviation authorities. It was so successful for both parties that he was offered a full-time position. This summer, he completed his Aviation studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and was able to start immediately. From Aruba, he explained his enthusiasm: “Arriving in the middle of Carnival season was wonderful, of course. But my internship wasn't a vacation; I read and learned a lot about the local context of Aruba, which is truly different from the international context.”
New interns
Two of the four interns are studying Aviation at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). Twenty-three-year-old Timo Jansen will be working at Fundashon Mariadal in Bonaire to help develop a drone corridor for pharmaceuticals. “That involves a lot of regulations, and I'm looking forward to conducting a thorough risk analysis.” Lucas Bol, a third-year student, is starting at the Sint Maarten Aviation Authority. "In short, I'm going to help improve the flight operations manual." The islands are still uncharted territory for both students, and they are eager to get started.
The third new intern is Aquilla Pemberton, who will also be applying her knowledge and skills to the aviation authorities on her native island of Sint Maarten. She studies Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and is looking forward to further exploring aviation from a legal perspective. Her fellow student, Lissa Laguerre, will begin her internship at Saba Airport in September. "I was born in Curaçao and am very excited to get to know Saba and contribute to it."
Strengthening the Aviation Sector
All efforts are focused on expanding specialist knowledge within the aviation sector. This is achieved, among other things, by promoting substantive expertise, such as training lawyers, technicians, and operational specialists. This is necessary because the aviation sector also faces challenges such as finding qualified personnel and an increasingly aging population. Maurits Paauwe, involved with Cari-Aire on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, expressed the importance of the internship program as follows: “As interns, you contribute to real challenges faced by various employers. This directly contributes to strengthening aviation in the Caribbean, a key goal for us at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.”
Commitment
On behalf of WeConnect, Cari-Aire program manager Pam Evertsz expressed her satisfaction. “The success of this internship program hinges on the willingness of our partners and stakeholders to adapt quickly; I am proud that we have achieved this again.” She offered encouragement to the interns: “You will enter an international work environment where you will learn to collaborate with other people and other cultures.”
The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten and the staff of the Cabinet of Aruba were present at the launch. Everyone wished the interns the best of luck. There was much appreciation for this wonderful collaboration within the Kingdom and the hope that the Cari-Aire aviation internship program will bring even more students to the islands in the future.
MP Lyndon Lewis Extends Open Door Policy to the General Public.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is pleased to announce that he has commenced holding meetings with members of the community and will continue to uphold his open-door policy to ensure accessibility and transparency with the general public.
Meetings are held at his office, located in the Parliament Building, Wilhelminastraat 1, Philipsburg. MP Lewis encourages individuals to reach out, whether it be for personal concerns, suggestions, or advice.
“My goal is to remain connected to the people of Sint Maarten and to ensure that every citizen feels heard. This open door policy is an opportunity for direct dialogue and meaningful engagement with my people,” MP Lewis stated.
Persons interested can request an appointment via the following emails:
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MP Lewis looks forward to engaging with the public and working together to address all concerns and continue working together for a better St. Maarten. “The parliamentary institution is honorable, and it’s an honor to serve you,” MP Lewis concluded.
CPS reminds parents and guardians to provide healthy school snacks to support children’s learning throughout 2025-2026 school year.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- With the kick-off of the new school year, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) would like to share some information related to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles for school-aged children.
Healthy meals are essential for students to perform their best in school. A well-balanced breakfast and school snacks throughout the day provide the necessary nutrients—like complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats—that support brain function, energy levels, and concentration.
Studies consistently show that children who eat nutritious meals are better able to focus in class, retain information, and maintain consistent energy throughout the day.
Skipping meals or consuming high-sugar, low-nutrient foods can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating, all of which impact learning outcomes.
Back-to-school season is a perfect opportunity to reinforce healthy eating habits. By introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into daily meals, parents and caregivers help children develop positive relationships with food that extend into adulthood.
Packing lunches or guiding kids in making balanced choices empowers them to understand the value of nutrition and take ownership of their health.
Here are some tips for children and adolescents: provide healthy breakfast before each school day; don’t leave home without breakfast; serve healthy school snacks to children (whole-grain, vegetables, fruits); promote and encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables. Introduce the children to local fruits e.g., soursop, guava, passion fruit, mango, etc.
Restrict intake of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods (e.g., packaged snacks); restrict intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks; ensure an opportunity for family meals; provide information and skills to make healthy food choices.
Beyond academics, healthy meals play a key role in emotional well-being and physical development. Proper nutrition helps regulate mood, supports the immune system, and promotes growth during critical developmental years.
In contrast, poor nutrition has been linked to increased absenteeism, behavioral issues, and chronic health conditions like obesity and diabetes. Ensuring that every child has access to wholesome, balanced meals is a vital step toward creating a supportive, equitable, and healthy learning environment for all students.
CPS encourages parents and guardians to pack healthy snacks for their children, promote water as the drink of choice and encourage regular physical activity throughout the new school year.
CPS calls on everyone to continue to work together to build a healthier and enriched community by making positive health choices, because healthy choices lead to healthy children and healthy smiles!
For more information, contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222 or 542-3003 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
National Alliance Congratulates Mr. Emile Levons on His Appointment as COO of PJIAE.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance Party proudly extends congratulations to Mr. Emile Levons on his appointment as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V.
Born and raised in St. Maarten, Mr. Levons has dedicated more than two decades of service to the airport, rising through the ranks with professionalism, perseverance, and proven leadership. His journey from Operations Coordinator to COO stands as a shining example of the talent and capability that exists right here within our community.
Too often, much is said when such positions are not filled by locals. Today, we want to ensure equal attention is given when one of our own achieves this level of recognition. Mr. Levons’ appointment is a source of pride for St. Maarten, and we trust that his leadership will contribute greatly to the continued growth and resilience of Princess Juliana International Airport.
On behalf of the National Alliance, we commend Mr. Levons on this well-deserved achievement and wish him every success in his new role.