PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, June 27, 2022, the ninth edition of the annual Governor’s Symposium will take place at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC). The annual Governors symposium is a platform created by Governor drs. Eugene B. Holiday, for stakeholders from a cross-section of Sint Maarten’s community, to highlight, discuss and address important societal developments and policy issues.

The objective of the Governor’s Symposium is to promote good governance as a pillar for national development. It is designed to foster discussion based on presentations delivered by national, regional, and international experts that sensitize leaders of our society to take initiatives directed at the further development and strengthening of national programs and policies.

The 2022 Governor’s symposium will focus on the theme: Energy transition in the Caribbean – challenges, and opportunities. Governor Holiday views energy transition as critical for the sustainability and future development of our country. The keynote speaker for this year’s symposium is the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Hyginus Leon.

Also participating in the symposium are:
The Head of Transmission & Distribution of Saba Electric, Mr. David Leonce, as the featured speaker;
The Acting Temporary Manager of NV. GEBE, Dr. Sharine Daniel, as a panelist;
The General Manager of Sol Antilles, Mr. Robert Jan James, as panelist;
The Manager of DYNAF Sint Maarten, Mr. Werner van de Zilver, as panelist; and
The Managing Director of the Sint Maarten Development Foundation, Ms. Makhicia Brooks, is the panel moderator.

As is customary the minister responsible for the pertinent policy area, in this case, the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Egbert Doran, will provide an outline of the Government’s perspective.

The event is by invitation only, however for members of the public that are interested in viewing the event live streaming will take place. The Livestream will be available to the public from 08:30 AM, on Monday, June 27, 2022, and can be accessed via this link:

https://youtu.be/JH0MKXrxwzA

 THE HAGUE/SABA:--- The Saba Island Council is currently in the Netherlands for a series of meetings, work visits, and the year congress of the Association of Dutch Municipalities VNG. Commissioner of Social Affairs, Public Health, and Housing Rolando Wilson is also in the Netherlands and joins part of the program of the Island Council, in addition to his own program.
The Island Council delegation, consisting of Chairman and Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Island Council Members Carl Buncamper, Vito Charles, Eviton Heyliger, Esmeralda Johnson, Hemmie van Xanten and Island Registrar Akilah Levenstone, started its working visit on Monday, June 20 and returns to Saba on Sunday, July 3.
The program includes meetings with the Permanent Committees for Kingdom Relations of the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, State Secretary of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sport Maarten van Ooijen, and Vice-President of the Council of State Thom de Graaf.
The main topics that were discussed with the First Chamber (on Tuesday, June 21) and the Second Chamber (on Thursday, June 23) included: healthcare, connectivity, cost of living, the notary and banking issue, the number of seats in the Island Council, the Kadaster and the modernization of the Opium Law.
A number of work visits take place to various entities and organizations, such as the Weener XL Social Workplace in Den Bosch, the National Institute for Family Finance Information Nibud in Utrecht, Bazalt Housing in Zaltbommel, “Gezond en Gelukkig” (Happy and Healthy) organization The Hague, the Authority Consumer and Market ACM in The Hague, and the National Coordinator for Discrimination and Racism in The Hague.
The delegation will take part in the VNG year congress in Hoorn on Tuesday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 29. On Friday, July 1, the delegation will attend the annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery Keti Koti (Break the chains) in Amsterdam. On Monday, June 27, the delegation has been invited to be present at the round table discussion about the Dutch slavery past in the Second Chamber where Island Council Member Vito Charles will be one of the guest speakers. The delegation had dinner with Member of the Second Chamber Jorien Wuite of the D66 party on Monday, June 20.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament will meet on June 24, 2022.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, at 9.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the St. Maarten Youth Parliament will be present.

The agenda points are:
1. Discussion on ideas for improvement and further development of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport sectors in Sint Maarten
2. Discussion on ideas for legislation and/or amendments to laws of Sint Maarten regarding Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports (IS/202/2021-2022 dated November 2, 2021)
Member of Parliament, A.J.G. Romou requested this meeting.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules and all health and safety protocols, including the wearing of a mask.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ad Hoc Committee Integrity (AHCI), will meet on June 24, 2022.
The Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, at 11.30 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the St. Maarten Youth Parliament will be present.

The agenda point is:
Presentation of updated Draft Code of Conduct by the St. Maarten Youth Parliament (IS/993/2021-2022 dated June 7, 2022)
Member of Parliament, MP M.D. Gumbs requested this meeting.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules and all health and safety protocols, including the wearing of a mask.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.
The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, and www.pearlfmradio.sx