St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

St. Maarten Trust Fund Reports Highlight Progress and Ongoing Challenges.

trustfundreport04052026 PHILIPSBURG: --- The Sint Maarten Trust Fund has released its latest reports, offering a detailed look at the island’s recovery efforts and the path ahead following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.
According to the reports, significant progress has been made in rebuilding critical infrastructure, including schools, roads, and public utilities. Projects funded through the Trust Fund have helped restore access to essential services while also introducing more resilient construction standards designed to withstand future natural disasters.
Education has been a major focus, with several schools now fully rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities. These upgrades not only address storm damage but also aim to improve long-term learning conditions for students across the island. Similarly, investments in waste management and emergency response systems have strengthened Sint Maarten’s ability to respond to future crises.
However, the reports also underscore persistent challenges. Delays in project implementation, rising construction costs, and administrative hurdles have slowed some initiatives. In addition, there are concerns about ensuring that recovery efforts remain inclusive, reaching vulnerable communities that were disproportionately affected by the hurricane.
The Trust Fund, financed by the World Bank and supported by the Government of the Netherlands, continues to emphasize transparency and accountability. Regular updates and public reporting are intended to keep residents informed and engaged in the rebuilding process.
Looking ahead, the focus is shifting from immediate recovery to sustainable development. This includes strengthening economic resilience, supporting local businesses, and investing in climate adaptation measures to better prepare the island for future environmental threats.
As Sint Maarten moves forward, the Trust Fund’s reports serve as both a record of progress and a reminder that rebuilding is an ongoing process—one that requires continued collaboration, careful planning, and community involvement.

The Caribbean Pension Funds Association (CaPAs).

Pensions as the Foundation of Sustainable Prosperity
Regional seminar brings professionals together to shape the future of the Dutch Caribbean

capas04052026 PHILIPSBURG:--- How do we ensure long-term prosperity in a region facing demographic change, economic pressure and evolving societal expectations?

For the first time, the annual seminar of the Caribbean Pension Funds Association (CaPAs) will be hosted in St. Maarten, with the event titled “Pensions and Prosperity” taking place on May 21, 2026, at the Sonesta, Maho Beach Resort. The seminar positions pensions not only as a financial arrangement but as a key pillar of social stability, economic resilience, and long-term development.

A broader conversation about prosperity
The CaPAs seminar goes beyond the traditional boundaries of the pension sector. It creates a platform for a broader discussion on the future of prosperity in the Dutch Caribbean. The focus is on how financial systems, demographic developments, and individual behavior interact. Together, these factors shape a stable and sustainable society.
“Pensions are not just about retirement income; they are a cornerstone of trust, stability, and long-term prosperity in our societies,” said Oscar Williams, Chair of CaPAs. “Hosting our annual seminar in St. Maarten for the first time underscores the importance of inclusive regional dialogue as we consider how today’s decisions can support resilient and sustainable outcomes for future generations.”

Three perspectives, one shared challenge
The keynote session brings together three leading experts, each offering a complementary perspective on the theme:
• Mr. Onno Steenbeek explores the role of pension systems as a driver of social stability, and the complex relationship between pension funds and governments.
• Mr. Daniel van Vuuren addresses the impact of demographic developments such as aging and migration, and compares pension models in the Dutch Caribbean and the Netherlands, looking ahead to 2050.
• Ms. Parveen Boertje focuses on financial literacy, generational differences, and the role of social insurance in building a more resilient and inclusive pension system.
Together, these perspectives provide a comprehensive view of how pension systems can evolve from certainty to resilience.

From insight to action
Following the keynote session, participants will engage in interactive breakout sessions, where the discussion moves from theory to practice.
Topics include:
• The role of individual responsibility and the third pension pillar.
• The balance between individualism and collective systems.
• The impact of financial risks on households and the wider community.
The seminar concludes with an interactive plenary session, where participants reflect on the insights gained and explore the question: what steps do we take tomorrow?

About CaPAs
The Caribbean Pension Funds Association (CaPAs) represents pension funds across Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. The organization works to strengthen collaboration, improve knowledge, and increase awareness around pension-related issues in the Dutch Caribbean.
Through its annual seminars, CaPAs brings together expertise from across the region and beyond, creating a platform for dialogue, learning, and cooperation.

Practical information
Date: May 21, 2026
Location: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Sint Maarten
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
The seminar is open to professionals and interested stakeholders from across the region.

More information and registration: www.pensioenkoepel.org/seminar2026

The Rotary Clubs of St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla continue to Shine at The Rotary District 7020 Conference.

PHILIPSBURG:--- During the Rotary District 7020 Conference held in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 27 through May 2, 2026, the Rotary Clubs of St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla were recognized with a variety of awards for their continued efforts to Unite for Good and to do good in the world. Rotary in St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla dates back to 1972, and the Rotary Clubs on St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla continue to thrive.

Assistant Governor Elisia L. Lake for St. Maarten and Anguilla said, “It is with tremendous pride that I congratulate all clubs across our territory for their outstanding representation at the recent Annual Rotary District 7020 Conference and for capturing honors across multiple award categories”.

District Governor Dr. William "Bill" Aiken presented the following awards to the St. Maarten and Anguilla clubs; The Rotary Club of Anguilla and The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise each received a Youth Service Award and a Certificate of Recognition; The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset received the Excellence Award and the Partnership Award; The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid-isle and The Rotary Club of St. Maarten each received a Certificate of Recognition.

Elisia L. Lake continued, “Serving as your Assistant Governor for the past three years has been a true honor. Your excellence, leadership, and commitment to Service Above Self have made our territory proud and set a powerful standard across Rotary District 7020.”

Rotarians representing St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla at the annual District Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, included Carolyn Hodge, Cassie Lewis, Seymour Hodge, Ryan Truideman, Jina Mahbubani, Claudia Connor, Jade Maccow, Jamila Boirard, Franklyn Salomons, Rebecca Low, James Park, James Ferris, and Jeffrey "Dr. Soc" Sochrin.

CPS COVID Vaccines Available for Adults and Children on Friday. Call for an Appointment.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), COVID, would like to inform the general public that the clinic at the CPS Offices at the Vineyard Building Office Park in Philipsburg is open for COVID vaccines by appointment only, and the next available date is Friday, May 8th.

The CPS clinic is open for COVID vaccines for persons aged 12 and older on Friday, May 08, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Due to limited supply, CPS is requesting persons to call or email for an appointment by calling 914 (option 4) or 542-1570, or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The booster is entirely free of charge and voluntary.

Please bring your vaccination card and a form of Identification (ID) when you have an appointment.
The COVID-19 virus has not disappeared. While the peak of the pandemic is in the past, the virus remains an active presence.
Routine prevention remains essential for public safety.

Commemoration National Remembrance Day – May 4, 2026.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- On Monday, May 4, 2026, the Government of Sint Maarten will observe National Remembrance Day (“Dodenherdenking”) like the other countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
During this National Commemoration Day, all Dutch victims – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War (WWII) are commemorated.
This year’s theme is “Learning to Understand History”, and the year 2026 marks 81 years since the end of WWII.
The regular commemoration ceremony, taking place at the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg, will feature several key elements, including an opening prayer by Archdeacon Terrence Rawlins and the official wreath laying ceremony by His Excellency the Governor Ajamu Baly, the Honorable President of Parliament Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, and the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.
Following the wreath laying, the “Last Post” will be played, succeeded by two minutes of silence after the tolling of the bells. This segment will conclude with the Dutch Anthem and the Sint Maarten Song.
Additionally, the top management of various uniformed troops – Police, Marines, Sint Maarten Voluntary Corps (VKS), and the Marechaussee – will jointly lay a wreath in honor of the fallen.
As has become tradition, two distinguished guests, Mrs. Elsje Bosch and Mrs. Bernadine van Veen, wife of the late Mr. Gerard van Veen, have been invited. Both Bosch and Gerard van Veen experienced World War II during their childhoods. The two ladies will lay a wreath on behalf of all the children affected by the fight for freedom over the years.
This year, Pathfinder Mr. Shodemar Levenstone will present a poem written by Drs. Mrs. Egstorf-Pantophlet from her book “A Different Stick o’ Fire, World War Two in the Caribbean, Fragments of a Forgotten Legacy”. Pathfinder Ms. Mo’Riah Stewart will read an excerpt written by Mrs. Elsje Bosch, describing her personal emotions and experiences during World War II. Trumpetist Wilfred Phelipa will accompany the ceremony with his musical performances.
Furthermore, all invited guests will have the opportunity to lay a single flower at the War Memorial Monument, which bears the names of World War II victims primarily from Sint Maarten.
The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony, which will commence with a march by uniformed law enforcement and military groups beginning at the front of the Courthouse and proceeding to Captain Hodge Wharf.
The event will also be rebroadcast on social media. Special thanks go out to the Port Sint Maarten Group of Companies (PSG) for annually facilitating this event.
Business owners are reminded to fly their flags at half-mast, and each citizen is encouraged to honor a period of two minutes of silence, which is observed throughout the Dutch Caribbean at around 6:00 p.m. The general public who wishes to attend can do so by 5:30 p.m., before the official start of the ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

The public is hereby notified that the roads leading to and the access to the Captain Hodge Wharf will be closed off for vehicles in the late afternoon of Monday, May 4, 2026.