PHILIPSBURG:---  – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (Ministry MECYS) in collaboration with DUO has organized an information evening for Tuesday, November 25, for those interested in studying in the Netherlands.

This is a reminder for those who are interested in attending the information session to come to the Government Administration Building meeting room (ground floor) at 7:00 PM.

This information session is for students who are interested in pursuing higher education.

For more information you can visit: duo.nl/bezoekcariben

Belair, Sint Maarten:---  The Integrity Chamber hosted its second Integrity Symposium last Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Belair Community Centre. Approximately 100 invited guests attended, including dignitaries and representatives of the Government, government-owned entities, integrity stakeholders, and community leaders. This year’s theme, “Whistleblowing – Encouraging Accountability,” centered on the critical role that reporting wrongdoing plays in strengthening Sint Maarten’s integrity systems. Mistress of the Ceremony, Mrs. Amanda Vital-Bedminister, facilitated the event.
The symposium opened with an address by the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Honourable Dr. Luc Mercelina, who emphasized the national importance of accountability and ethical leadership.
President of the Integrity Chamber, Rik Bergman, followed with remarks on the shared responsibility across society. “Integrity cannot be achieved by institutions alone. It requires the active participation of every employee, every manager, and every citizen. Through dialogue, we can explore how to create safe channels for reporting, how to protect whistleblowers, and how to shift cultural perceptions so that whistleblowers are seen not as troublemakers, but as guardians of integrity”.
Whistleblower Protection Lead at Transparency International, Marie Terracol, shared a short video message on international best practices for implementing whistleblowing policies and protecting whistleblowers.
The event featured two (2) keynote speakers. Ms. Anika Kentish, a freelance journalist 

and advocate for freedom of expression across the Caribbean, provided a regional perspective on whistleblowing in a small society, and Mr. Wilbert Tomesen, former Chairman of the Dutch Whistleblowers Authority, offered an international perspective on whistleblowing and developing strong reporting frameworks.

A panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Giselle York, brought together the two (2) keynote speakers along with two (2) local panelists. From the private sector, Ms. Kyria Ali, CEO of NAGICO, and union leader and president of WICSU-PSU, Ms. Sharon Cangieter. The conversation explored the importance of creating safe channels for reporting misconduct, shifting cultural attitudes toward whistleblowing, and supporting legislative efforts to protect those who come forward. It also highlighted the role of the Integrity Chamber as an institute where misconduct can be safely reported.
At the event's close, participants reflected on how the Symposium had influenced their perspective on whistleblowing. Remarkably, 76% affirmed that they already viewed whistleblowing positively, while the remaining 24% indicated that the symposium shifted their view to a positive one. This collective shift signals a meaningful step toward creating a culture where speaking up is valued, protected, and embraced as an act of integrity.
The Integrity Chamber trusts that the Symposium will not only spark meaningful dialogue but also serve as a catalyst for broader societal and institutional change—helping to lay the groundwork for the establishment, implementation, and effective execution of whistleblowing legislation and policies that protect individuals, strengthen accountability, and promote a culture of transparency across Sint Maarten.

For more information visit www.integritychamber.sx.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As Sint Maarten enters the peak of the high season, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is informing the public, business community, and visitors of preliminary measures that will soon take effect through a forthcoming Ministerial Decree from the Minister of Justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of VROMI.
These measures are aimed at improving safety, traffic flow, and the overall visitor experience during one of the busiest periods of the year.
• Certain alleyways leading toward Front Street and Back Street will be temporarily closed off to improve pedestrian safety and reduce congestion.
• In the upcoming days, parts of Back Street and several alleyways connecting Back Street to Front Street will be temporarily closed due to a scheduled street fair. Residents of Back Street are urged to consider this when accessing their homes and when planning parking arrangements, as access may be limited at times.
• No loitering will be permitted in the areas surrounding the A.C. Wathey Cruise Port entrance, Captain Hodge’s Wharf, and Water Plant Square—locations where large numbers of visitors arrive and depart.
• Additional traffic adjustments will be implemented in and around Philipsburg to ensure smoother flow.
• KPSM will also be implementing heightened safety and security measures in the Simpson Bay and Maho areas, two of the island’s busiest nightlife and tourism zones during the high season. These efforts include enhanced visibility of officers and proactive traffic safety. Controls on unsafe driving and traffic congestion. The public, nightlife establishments, and road users are encouraged to cooperate with officers as these safety measures are carried out.
KPSM reminds the public that parking enforcement remains active. Vehicles parked in no-parking zones, particularly along Front Street, Back Street, and surrounding alleyways, remain subject to towing. Drivers, pedestrians, and all those working within the taxi and tour industry are urged to take these updates into account when planning their routes.
More detailed information on the Ministerial Decree and the exact traffic and movement changes will be released this week.
KPSM thanks the community for its cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe environment for both residents and the thousands of visitors who will arrive during this high season.

KPSM Press Release.

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/