Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:---  Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has released its first Sustainability Report, marking a major milestone in its journey to embed sustainability across all Group operations in adapting to the accelerating impacts of climate and social change. The publication consolidates years of progress and reaffirms RFHL’s commitment to delivering long-term value for its customers, employees, and the communities across its entire footprint.
Group President and CEO, Nigel Baptiste, highlighted the urgency of the challenge, stating, “RFHL recognises that true leadership goes beyond the provision of sound financial services. Climate disruption, social inequality, and shifting stakeholder expectations demand purposeful and accountable action. In the Caribbean, the financial burden of climate impacts exacerbates challenges such as food security, healthcare access, economic diversification, supply chain disruptions, and migration. These realities help shape our strategy and reinforce our commitment to long-term resilience.”
The Report shows RFHL actively embedding sustainability into its daily operations through strengthened systems, policies, and culture. It highlights concrete progress from delivering climate-aligned financial solutions and progressing towards the USD 200 million Climate Finance Target to advancing SDG-driven community programmes and employee-led initiatives demonstrating the Group’s expanding role in sustainable finance and regional resilience.
Group Vice President, Richard Sammy, contextualised RFHL’s efforts within global sustainable finance trends: “In just two years, global sustainable finance has surged, reaching USD 8.2 trillion in 2024, a 17% increase from 2023. When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, two innovative disaster-financing mechanisms were triggered: a USD 150 million World Bank catastrophe bond and a USD 70.8 million payout from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). While not sufficient for full recovery, these instruments demonstrate how layered financing can transform climate risk into swift response and long-term resilience, highlighting the evolving landscape of climate adaptation.”
The Report highlights the growing influence of sustainability across the Group, RFHL’s alignment with leading reporting frameworks, including the UNEP FI principles, and its active participation in regional and international sustainability forums. Key milestones such as the inaugural 2024 RFHL Sustainability Expo and the Group’s contribution to the COP 30 Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T are also showcased.
Beyond outlining achievements, the Report shows how sustainability is beginning to shape RFHL’s operations, from early shifts in risk culture and data governance to the foundational work in product design and customer service, while the Group continues to build the internal capacity needed to advance its longer-term climate and social objectives.
RFHL invites the public, partners, and regional stakeholders to explore and share the full Report and engage with the Group as it continues to drive a resilient, sustainable Caribbean.
Read the full Report here: rfhl.com/sr2025/

Willemstad:--- A group of students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences (HSS) visited the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on Monday as part of their ‘Kingdom Relations’ minor. During the visit, the students received an overview of how the advisory body informs government and parliamentary decision-making on socioeconomic issues.
Council staff explained the legal foundation of the SER, the process through which its recommendations are drafted and reviewed, and the institution’s place within Curaçao’s constitutional system. The visit offered the students a rare glimpse into the mechanics of policy formation in a small island jurisdiction.
Interest from The Hague University has grown steadily in recent years, with students frequently completing internships at the council. According to officials familiar with the exchange, the continued collaboration helps strengthen understanding between the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Ragasa between September 22 and 23, 2025, Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten organized a month-long fundraising campaign to support affected families in Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and neighbouring regions. The campaign ran from September 25 to October 31, 2025.

Upon learning of the disaster, Commissioner Sister Sandra immediately convened volunteers to plan an emergency response. Despite limited resources, the team launched island-wide fundraising efforts, visiting public areas, walking through communities, and standing in front of shops to share information about the disaster and encourage donations.

The campaign saw countless moving moments. Residents with very little still gave what they could, shop owners donated despite slow business, and children participated by holding bamboo banks to inspire others. Many donors recalled Tzu Chi’s support after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and wanted to “give back” to help disaster survivors abroad.

Through these coordinated efforts, Tzu Chi St. Maarten successfully raised US $10,184.28. All funds were remitted in full to Tzu Chi Taiwan on November 17, 2025, ensuring aid reaches those most in need as quickly as possible.

“We are deeply moved by the love shown by the people of St. Maarten,” said Commissioner Sandra Cheung. “Although we live far away, compassion has no boundaries. Every donation, whether large or small, is a blessing that carries warmth across the ocean.”

Volunteers also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to join the global Tzu Chi community in providing timely support to Typhoon Ragasa victims.

The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has been serving St. Maarten since 2005, providing disaster relief, humanitarian aid, food assistance, education support, and community care. Guided by Master Cheng Yen’s teachings of compassion, gratitude, and action, Tzu Chi strives to bring relief to those suffering and hope to those in hardship.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministers of Health of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, together with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands, convened on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in Sint Maarten for the Four-Country Consultation on Public Health. This annual high-level dialogue remains a cornerstone for coordinated health governance and joint policy development within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This year’s consultation, the first since 2023, addressed shared public health challenges and strategic opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. The agenda focused on priority areas, including:

• Strengthening cross-border healthcare and pandemic preparedness
• Enhancing crisis and disaster response capacity
• Advancing joint initiatives in mental health, prevention, and healthy lifestyle promotion
• Improving continuity of care, workforce development, and training capacity across the health sector

Results

With regard to pandemic preparedness and the fight against infectious diseases, the four countries agree on the continued development of the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DuCaPHEN). Thereby reinforcing the shared commitment to expertise exchange and regional coordination in public health. The countries also reaffirmed their intention to work toward harmonized public health legislation across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with particular attention to involuntary mental health care and cross-border referral of mental health clients.

The four countries are taking steps to improve crisis preparedness, which is essential to ensuring the Kingdom can respond in a coordinated and effective manner to any health crisis.

Collective commitment

The consultation, hosted by the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor of Sint Maarten, concluded with the formal signing of conclusions underlining their collective commitment to strengthening public health systems and cooperation within the Kingdom.

Minister Richenel Brug (Sint Maarten): “Today’s agreements reflect our shared resolve to build a resilient, responsive, and collaborative public health system for the people of our islands. Strengthening these partnerships is essential to safeguarding health and well-being across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

Minister Roderick Middelhof (Curaçao): “A strong health-care system is built on preparedness, prevention, mental well-being, quality, and a capable workforce. By committing to these principles together, we strengthen our collective resilience.”

State Secretary Judith Tielen (the Netherlands): “Patients who need complex mental health care are among the most vulnerable. We are stepping up for them by strengthening mental health services for everyone in the Kingdom. With our joint efforts we aim to create alignment between our laws and regulations in the field of involuntary mental health care. I am truly grateful for the willingness of each country to help provide these services to patients from islands where such care is not yet available.

Minister Melvin Wyatt – Ras (Aruba): “I would like to acknowledge an important moment for Aruba. We are honored to assume the chairmanship of the Four-Country Consultation for the coming year. It is a responsibility we welcome with commitment and pride. We look forward to hosting the next session and continuing the work we have collectively advanced today. Aruba will strive to continue fostering cooperation, innovation, and unity within the Kingdom — always guided by the conviction that a healthier Kingdom is indeed a stronger Kingdom.”