PHILIPSBURG: --- - Prime Minister Luc Marcelina represented Saint Martin at the “Zero Waste in the Caribbean” seminar held in St. Barths from May 15 to 19. The event gathered government officials, environmental experts, and key stakeholders to enhance cooperation in waste management and environmental sustainability across the region.
During the seminar, leaders from various Caribbean territories discussed strategies to combat waste and promote environmentally sustainable practices.
The key moment of the seminar came on Saturday, May 17, when Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, alongside other regional leaders, signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to structured and sustainable waste management systems. This pivotal agreement was co-signed by President Xavier Ledet of St. Bart's, President Louis Mussington of the French Saint Martin, Minister Kyle Hodge of Anguilla, First Vice President Jean-Philippe Courtois of Guadeloupe, Commissioner Bruce Egers of CEBA, and Saint Martin’s Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs Jr.
“We are aligning our efforts to address waste management challenges that affect us all as islands in the Caribbean. This partnership strengthens our shared goals of sustainability, regional collaboration, and ecological responsibility,” the Prime Minister shared.
The agreement emphasizes deeper cross-border cooperation and sets the stage for future discussions on tourism, ecological transition, and the development of a sustainable regional economy. The signatories pledged to continue working on practical solutions and policies while preparing to reconvene soon to evaluate progress and expand the scope of their initiatives.
This seminar supported Saint Maarten’s commitment to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing waste-related challenges and fostering regional collaboration. For Prime Minister Mercelina, the event underscored the importance of collective efforts to ensure a cleaner, greener future for the Caribbean.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with fellow leaders and highlighted the importance of maintaining open dialogue between territories to tackle shared environmental issues.
