PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, announced changes to Sint Maarten’s Christmas celebrations during today’s Council of Ministers press briefing. Due to financial constraints, the traditional Christmas parade will not take place this year. However, the Minister assured the public that the holiday spirit in Philipsburg will remain vibrant through alternative festivities.
The Lighting Up Philipsburg Experience will return, featuring festive decorations and illuminated roundabouts, similar to last year. A confirmed date for the lighting ceremony will be announced soon, and residents and visitors are encouraged to join the celebration.

In a new initiative, the Ministry is launching a Christmas Booth Pilot Program along Walter Nisbet Road. Vendors will have the opportunity to sell Christmas-themed food, beverages, crafts, and products in decorated booths. Applications for the limited 10 spots are open until November 26, 2025, with a logistics meeting scheduled for November 28. The program aims to create a cohesive holiday atmosphere while supporting local entrepreneurs.

The Minister also highlighted the upcoming Backstreet Bonanza, a two-day street fair on November 29-30, 2025. Organized with support from the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the event will feature local vendors, artisanal goods, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus. The fair promises a family-friendly atmosphere with free admission, embodying the spirit of community and commerce.
Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized the importance of working creatively with available resources to maintain the festive atmosphere. “Even without the parade, we are committed to ensuring a true Christmas experience in Philipsburg,” she stated.

PHILIPSBURG: --- During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Hon. Richinel Brug, announced the reopening of SZV’s in-person services for seniors. Starting this January, the initiative aims to ensure seniors receive the care and support they need with dignity. This decision addresses the challenges seniors face with digital systems and introduces a more efficient, user-friendly service model.

A New and Improved Service Model

SZV’s reopening represents a redesigned approach to service delivery. A centralized service hub will now offer a one-stop-shop system to simplify processes for seniors, including updating account information, addressing coverage questions, and filing claims. Key features include:

• Respectful Service: Streamlined processes to prioritize seniors’ time and dignity.

• Efficiency: Reduced wait times and centralized services in one location.
• Accessibility: A senior-friendly design for comfort and ease of use.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Recognizing the difficulties many seniors face with digital systems, Minister Brug emphasized that technology should complement, not replace, human connection. This reopening reflects a commitment to accessible and compassionate support for all seniors in St. Maarten.

SZV will announce the official reopening date soon, providing further details for seniors and families. Minister Brug assured the public that the Ministry will monitor the initiative to ensure its success. This marks a significant step toward a more inclusive healthcare system for St. Maarten’s seniors.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Significant progress is being made on the General Health Insurance (GHI) legislation, a landmark reform aimed at creating a more equitable healthcare system in St. Maarten. Recent updates from the Minister of Health and Labor Richinel Brug confirm that the initiative is advancing through key legislative stages, bringing the nation closer to providing universal, fair, and sustainable access to health services for every resident. This reform represents a significant step in strengthening the foundation of our community's well-being.

The journey toward comprehensive health coverage has reached significant milestones. The proposed legislation has received positive advice and is now undergoing final reviews before heading to Parliament. As the process moves forward, the public needs to understand the progress, the proposed timeline, and how this new system will shape the future of healthcare in St. Maarten.

Legislative Progress and Key Milestones

Implementing the General Health Insurance system involves a meticulous legislative process. A significant achievement in this journey is the positive advice received from the SER, a critical advisory body. Their feedback and recommendations have been carefully reviewed and integrated into the updated draft legislation, strengthening its framework.

Following this milestone, the legislation has advanced to the Legal Affairs department for a final vetting process. This step ensures that the legal language is precise and the framework is sound. Minister Brug is optimistic that this review will be completed within approximately two weeks.

Once Legal Affairs completes its vetting, the revised draft will be presented to the Council of Ministers for approval. Upon their endorsement, the legislation will be urgently sent to the Council of Advice for its review. The goal is to prepare the legislation for handling in Parliament as soon as possible, demonstrating a clear and solid commitment to moving this reform forward without delay.

A Clear Timeline for Implementation

A structured timeline is essential for a smooth transition to the new GHI system. The target date for the introduction of the new system is January 1, 2027. This timeline is ambitious but critical, as it provides SZV and other implementing partners with sufficient time to prepare for the operational changes required.

This preparatory period will allow for the necessary adjustments to administrative processes, technological systems, and public communication strategies. Ensuring all partners are ready is key to a seamless launch that minimizes disruption and maximizes benefits for the public from day one. The clear direction and solid progress made so far give confidence that this timeline can be met.

The Role of Private Health Insurance

A common question regarding the GHI reform is how it will coexist with private health insurance. The new system is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for all, but it also acknowledges the role that private insurers can play.

The GHI package will cover a broad range of essential health services. However, there may be specific services or levels of coverage that fall outside this standard package. This is where private health insurance companies can step in, offering supplementary plans to cover those additional needs. Discussions are ongoing with private insurance providers to define their role more clearly and ensure a collaborative healthcare landscape. The ultimate goal is to create a system where the public and private sectors work together to provide complete coverage options for the people of St. Martin.

The Opt-Out Option and the Solidarity Fund

The legislation includes a provision for individuals who currently have private health insurance. These individuals will have a one-time option to opt out of the GHI system. It is important to note that this is a permanent choice; once a person opts out, they cannot rejoin the GHI at a later date.

Even for those who choose to opt out, there will be a mandatory contribution to a solidarity fund. This fund is a core component of the GHI's principle of fairness. Everyone contributes to the solidarity fund to ensure that the healthcare system remains financially sustainable and capable of providing essential services for the entire population, especially the most vulnerable. While the exact cost of this contribution is being finalized, it underscores the collective responsibility inherent in the new system.

A Vision for Universal and Sustainable Healthcare

The General Health Insurance reform is more than just a new law; it is a fundamental part of a broader vision for St. Martin. The primary objective is to guarantee that every resident has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their income or employment status. By creating a unified and fair system, the GHI aims to eliminate disparities and strengthen the overall health of our nation.

The progress on this legislation is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of VSA, the Ministry of Finance, SZV, and various advisory bodies. This partnership is crucial for navigating the complexities of such a large-scale reform and ensuring its long-term success. While there are still conditions to meet and details to finalize the direction is clear, and the progress is solid. The GHI is poised to become a cornerstone of a healthier and more secure future for all residents of St. Martin.

~Developing Economies Take Centre Stage at Landmark International Gathering.~

Accra/PHILIPSBURG:--- In a significant milestone for Sint Maarten and the wider Caribbean, Sint Maarten Parliament’s Chairperson Wescot-Williams has been appointed Chairperson of the 2025 International Conference on Gender Equality, taking place in Accra, Ghana. 

MP Wescot-Williams departed this past weekend to lead this significant global conference under the theme  “ Charting the Next Frontier for Gender Equality in Developing Economies”. This auspicious gathering comes on the heels of 

the Beijing+30 Declaration

and Plan of Action. 

Hosted by regional and international partners, the conference will bring together ministers, parliamentarians, UN leaders, academics, and civil society advocates from across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America. 

This year’s gathering is considered one of the critical moments for shaping global gender policy at the 30th anniversary of the historic 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and just 5 years away from the SDGs' targeted year 2030. 

MP Wescot’s appointment as Chairperson places Sint Maarten and the Caribbean squarely in the global spotlight, amplifying the region’s voice on urgent issues such as climate justice, digital inequality, care economy reform, rising violence, women’s leadership, and the accelerating threats to gender equality.

“This is a proud moment not only for Sint Maarten, but for the entire Caribbean,” MP  Wescot said. “Our region stands on the frontlines of the climate crisis, economic volatility, and widening gender gaps. To chair a global conference of this magnitude is both an honour and a responsibility, and one that I carry on behalf of every woman and girl whose voice deserves to be heard.”

The Accra conference comes at a time when developing economies face mounting pressures: climate disasters, debt burdens, digital exclusion, and post-pandemic setbacks. These challenges disproportionately impact women and girls.

MP Wescot emphasized the significance of Global South leadership during these times:

“From Africa to the Caribbean to the Pacific, we are confronting the same structural threats, and should be part of the solutions. This conference is proof that we are not waiting to be invited. We can shape  the agenda and help define the future of gender equality.”

As Chairperson, MP Wescot will:

preside over high-level sessions and plenaries;

guide the conference outcomes and commitments;

lead negotiations on the final communiqué;

represent the Caribbean’s perspectives on climate resilience, women’s leadership, and socio-economic equity;

amplify the needs of small island developing states (SIDS) in global gender policymaking.

Participation at this level strengthens partnerships, opens new avenues for technical cooperation, and contributes to stronger, more inclusive national policies.

“This is more than representation, it is an opportunity for Sint Maarten to help shape global solutions and bring back insights that will strengthen our own policies,” MP Wescot said.

Conference Dates

The 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality will take place in Accra, Ghana, from November

20th through November 22nd.