On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024, the World Bank launched a Regional Opinion Essay Competition open to youth across the Caribbean aged 18 to 29. The winner will have the opportunity to visit the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and participate in the global World Bank Youth Summit.

According to the World Bank’s forthcoming Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Report on jobs and poverty, in many parts of the region, having a job is no longer a guaranteed path out of poverty. Despite significant progress, in 2023, one in four people in the region still lived below the poverty line. The region’s economic fragility and the prevalence of low-quality jobs have kept millions trapped in poverty.

The essay topic, "Job Poverty in the Caribbean: Is there a jobs and skills shortage in your country or the wider Caribbean? How does this challenge contribute to poverty, and what can be done to address it?" encourages participants to explore the complex relationship between employment, skills development, and poverty reduction in the Caribbean.

Eligibility and Submission Guidelines:

• The competition is open to Caribbean youth aged 18 to 29 years
• Essays should be no longer than 1,500 words, written in English, and submitted in PDF format.
• Submissions must be original and unpublished, with plagiarism leading to disqualification.

The submission deadline is December 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Jamaica time). Entries should be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with the subject line "Essay Competition Submission."

 Awards and Prizes:

 Winners of the competition will receive the following prizes, including the chance to engage with World Bank leadership:

• 1st Place: A trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the World Bank Youth Summit, a one-on-one engagement with World Bank Caribbean Leadership, recognition on the World Bank’s online platforms, and a certificate of achievement. The winning essay will also be published online at the discretion of the judges.
• 2nd Place: A trip to Jamaica, where the World Bank’s Caribbean office is based, along with online recognition and a certificate of achievement. The essay will also be considered for publication.
• 3rd Place: A one-on-one meeting with the World Bank Representative for the candidate’s home country, online recognition, a certificate of achievement, and potential publication of their essay.

“As the region continues its efforts to reduce poverty, there is a need for better jobs, not just more jobs, to drive meaningful change. Our goal is to engage young people—the leaders of tomorrow—to share their perspectives and contribute to the development of solutions that address job quality and skills alignment in the Caribbean,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “By amplifying their voices, we aim to foster a collaborative approach to shaping a brighter economic future for all.”

This competition is part of the World Bank’s ongoing efforts to engage with youth in the region and encourage innovative thinking on development challenges.

For more details on the competition, submission guidelines, or to participate, please visit (website) or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten proudly honored its very own Keacy Carty with an Achievement Award in recognition of his groundbreaking accomplishments as the island's first professional cricketer. The intimate yet momentous ceremony was held at the Princess Executive Lounge at Princess Juliana International Airport, with the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina presenting the award.

"Keacy Carty represents the very best of Sint Maarten,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina during his remarks. “His journey is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and extraordinary talent of our people. As our first professional cricketer, Keacy has not only broken barriers but has also put Sint Maarten on the international map in the world of cricket."

Carty’s achievements have been a source of immense pride and inspiration for the people of Sint Maarten. The award was presented to acknowledge his exceptional dedication, talent, and perseverance in the sport of cricket, qualities that have made him a role model for aspiring athletes across the island.

"Keacy’s success is not just his own; it belongs to all of us in Sint Maarten,” the Prime Minister continued. “He reminds us that with hard work, determination, and passion, there are no limits to what we can achieve. Today, we celebrate his accomplishments and the hope and pride he brings to our country."

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting local talent: "As a government, we remain committed to nurturing the potential of our young people, ensuring that they have the opportunities and resources to reach their fullest potential, just as Keacy has."

SIMPSON BAY:---  Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), heaped praise on the staff and employees of the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) for what she called their “resilience, hard work, and unwavering dedication, especially through the toughest of times.”
Speaking at the official reopening of the airport on Thursday, November 14, 2024, Heyliger-Marten acknowledged that the completion of the reconstruction of the airport which was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017, may have taken long, however, the wait “has been worth every second.”
For the minister, the “real beauty (of the airport) doesn’t come from its sleek design or modern finishes, but from the dedication and commitment of its people—the ones who breathe life into this structure each and every day.”
“Princess Juliana International Airport cannot thrive without you, its employees. You are the heart and soul of this airport, the true architects behind its success,” the Minister said.
Heyliger-Marten continued: “This airport is more than just flights and schedules. It represents the spirit of the St. Martin people—their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence and unity.”
“We just celebrated St. Martin Day with pomp and pageantry a few days ago,” she noted. “There is perhaps no other government-owned entity that embodies that spirit of oneness like this airport. If you doubt me, check the workforce, not just today but throughout its history.
“The vast majority of its staff and employees are not only locals but are drawn from both sides of the island – from French Quarter to Dutch Quarter; from Galis Bay to Great Bay and from Marigot to Middle Region. They have worked together, toiled together, shared lunch together, gone through Hurricane Irma together, and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic together as one people. That is what living without borders looks like and feels like on St. Martin.
“This airport is a true reflection of that togetherness, that oneness that is the foundation of our existence on this island.”
According to the TEATT Minister, “The way the airport goes is the way the island goes. In other words, whatever happens to the airport, or at the airport, impacts the whole island.”
Turning to what she called the next level for the airport, Heyliger-Marten said: “For me, there is absolutely no doubt that we need to regain the hub function we once had in the subregion. That would mean establishing US Pre-Clearance at the airport as soon as possible.”
She continued: “The next level for me also means prioritizing the welfare of the staff, offering them training that would aid in their professional growth, and enhancing service to all users of the facility in a way that would solidify our reputation as the Friendly Island.”
In conclusion, Heyliger Marten said: “May I suggest that we also use this opportunity to re-affirm our belief in the enormous possibilities this occasion offers for us to re-set, re-group and re-dedicate ourselves to the future of this airport. A future that is bright and prosperous. A future that places our people at the center of all decisions we make. A future we can all be proud of.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Following the heavy rains this past week, the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs wishes to thank all first responders, including the fire department, police, and especially the workers of VROMI-Yard for their steadfast efforts over the past week; and to the general population for their patience which, as the Ministry continues to clean and work towards improving our infrastructure, is much appreciated.

The island experienced the effects of a cold front, which normally doesn’t come this far south. This, mixed with an area of moisture, led to substantial rainfall. The Minister indicated that the impact of this rain was amplified by the general lack of drainage, something that he has been very vocal about since taking office.
“The current infrastructure has not grown at the same rate as development has; current drainage is not designed for the high density of buildings or the manner in which we build into the hills, often times relying on water to just run down the roads, whereas it would naturally soak into the ground," stated Gumbs. Similar sentiments have been expressed for years by the various environmental organizations on the island, as well as the Meteorological Office, as it relates to the infrastructure being able to keep up with changes in climate and weather patterns.

Over the course of the week, VROMI civil servants have been busy managing the water levels of the Great Salt Pond and the Fresh Water Pond. Clean-up efforts began in earnest around midnight on November 11th with the lowering of the levels of the pond. The VROMI team, including the Secretary General and the Minister, were on hand well up until 7 AM, before proceeding to the official Saint Martin Day events at 8 AM. The teams were busy assisting people trapped in their cars, compiling preliminary assessments, and removing debris from roads. In many areas including Ebenezer, Cay Hill, Cole Bay, Pelican/Simpsonbay, and Beacon Hill, the Ministry arranged septic trucks to pump water out, noting that this was more to mitigate the impact of the rains, and can no longer be the way in which flood prone areas are managed. A long-term solution is needed. Residents of these areas have been complaining for years about issues including erosion and drainage. In the Great Bay basin which experiences particularly bad flooding.
Contrary to circulating misinformation, the floodgates, allowing water to flow from the fresh pond into the Great Salt Pond, were in fact opened on November 11. The stormwater pumps, which pump water from the Great Salt Pond into Great Bay via a canal and which was out of service since Hurricane Irma, was epaired in July of this year and unfortunately broke down late Wednesday evening. They were quickly repaired and put back into service on Friday afternoon. During this period, the Great Bay Channel was opened to allow the outflow of water towards the sea. The Ministry will soon receive a subsidy for the purchase of a new storm pump and is in the process of upgrading the site with new sheet piles. It was discovered in August 2024 that the sheet piles are at the end of their lifespan, meaning that running the pumps for prolonged periods could mean the country runs the risk of losing the pumps, in the event of a platform collapse. This aging infrastructure means that the pumps, while working, aren’t able to efficiently pump water out, underscoring the need for structured maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Gumbs condemned statements made throughout the week on the lack of cleaning of drains and waterways as a cause of the severe flooding. “This is a played out, old school, and rather unfortunate attempt by some politicians and their mouthpieces alike to take advantage of a crisis, to the detriment of the population. The awarding of the trench contracts, a decision that I took in August of this year, allowed for a comprehensive cleaning of all waterways for the first time in over 3 years which further mitigated the impact that this past week’s flooding could’ve had. Within two months we’ve managed to tackle many of the larger drains and work is continuing."

Furthermore, Gumbs has been critical of the hard surfacing project, a good initiative to concrete all side roads, but one which lacked drainage plans and proper outlets, and only sends the problem (dirt, water and debris) further down the road. This can be seen especially in Cole Bay, where connections onto and off of Union Road have moved flooding from the main into people's yards and homes.

Minister Gumbs stated, "we often speak of resilience but have yet to institutionalize it. The potholes didn’t appear this week, nor did our drainage issues and concerns about how we build and the impact on natural waterways and potential increase for erosion and landslides, as we saw in many areas this week. While rains are ongoing, the Ministry and other first responders are unable to assist as they risk putting their lives in danger and potentially making a situation worse.

Gumbs asked the population to exercise caution especially in the use of roadways. “We are all very aware of the state of roads, noting that new potholes emerged with the passing of the rain and many others, already present, have increased in size. A large number of these are on roads earmarked for repair but the amount of rain over the past three weeks has slowed down the rate at which this work is undertaken."

The Ministry of VROMI will be making very drastic changes in what will be allowed going forward where it pertains to development. While this may mean that in cases of both private and public land people won’t be able to build as they wish, the limitation and potential increased costs of building are outweighed by the safety, quality, and peace of mind it will bring to the population as a whole. The impact of this rain on homes, infrastructure, and the economy is testament to the fact that tough choices have to be made.

"These won’t be popular decisions, but they will be the right ones”. Gumbs stated.