PHILIPSBURG:--- Historic multilateral agreement formalizes collaboration between Sint Maarten, the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curaçao on environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), together with the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will significantly strengthen Sint Maarten's capacity to protect natural resources, enhance food security, and fulfill international environmental commitments.
The historic agreement, formally titled "Memorandum of Understanding for the protection, management and use of natural resources, strengthening food security and safety, and participation in, and implementation of international treaties and organizations in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom," establishes formal cooperation between Sint Maarten's Ministries of VROMI and TEATT, the Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur (LVVN) of the Netherlands, the Ministerie van Transport, Integriteit, Natuur en Ouderenzaken (TINO) of Aruba, and the Ministerie van Gezondheid Milieu en Natuur (GMN) of Curaçao.
"This MoU represents a significant milestone in our efforts to protect Sint Maarten's natural environment while ensuring food security for our people," said the Minister of VROMI. "By formalizing our collaboration with our Kingdom partners, we are strengthening our voice in international forums and gaining access to enhanced technical expertise and resources to address the environmental challenges facing our island."
The MoU creates pathways for harmonizing the protection and management of marine ecosystems and migratory species throughout the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom by, amongst others, contributing to the implementation of the local nature and environment policy plans established by each country within the Kindgdom. Participants will collaborate on addressing critical threats to Caribbean nature and biodiversity, including invasive species, diseases and pests, climate change, and international overfishing. The MoU will work to establish joint approaches to licensing, supervision, enforcement, and training of supervisors regarding nature and fisheries regulations. Recognizing the vital importance of food security for island nations, the agreement strengthens cooperation between agricultural and fisheries services across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom by for example: further strengthening collaboration within the
Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Alliance (DCALFA). Participants will share best practices for nature-inclusive, sustainable, and innovative agricultural and fisheries practices while working together to develop a sustainable, circular agricultural sector.
The MoU enhances cooperation and knowledge exchange in veterinary affairs and animal welfare, particularly for controlling animal diseases and zoonoses. It also establishes mechanisms for aligning fisheries policy through the EEZ Committee and explores opportunities for exchange or joint procurement of agricultural and fishery products between Caribbean Kingdom partners.
The agreement creates robust frameworks for sharing knowledge and making research and monitoring reports publicly available. Participants will actively cooperate in preparing and implementing knowledge agendas concerning nature, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and veterinary affairs for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Collaborative research and monitoring efforts will focus on migratory species such as sea turtles, flamingos, sharks, and marine mammals, as well as coral reefs, water quality, shared fish stocks, and fisheries. The MoU facilitates connections between knowledge institutes and governments in the European Netherlands and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, including promoting internship and research opportunities.
A key objective of the MoU is coordinating participation and strengthening the collective voice of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom in international forums. The agreement addresses cooperation and joint reporting on numerous critical international conventions and organizations, including:
· Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
· Cartagena Convention on the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Caribbean o SPAW Protocol on Special Protected Areas and Natural Habitats
· Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
· Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
· CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
· Inter-American Convention on the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles
· Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC)
· International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
· Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) to combat illegal fishing
· World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)
The MoU establishes coordination mechanisms for Kingdom contributions to international meetings and strengthens cooperation regarding European Union funds and initiatives.
"Having dedicated coordinators from both VROMI and TEATT ensures that all aspects of this comprehensive agreement receive proper attention and that both ministers remain actively engaged in its implementation," explained the Minister of TEATT.
The MoU is valid from the date of signature and will remain in force until 2030, with an evaluation scheduled for 2029 to determine how the cooperation will continue beyond that date.
"The early implementation of projects under this framework demonstrates the tangible benefits this cooperation brings to Sint Maarten," said the Minister of VROMI. "We are already seeing improved coordination on biodiversity protection and enhanced support for meeting our international obligations."
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