PHILIPSBURG:---  The Minister of Finance, Hon. Ms. Marinka J. Gumbs, has commissioned the Government Audit Bureau (SOAB) to carry out a financial audit of the OZR Fund, which is managed by the Social and Health Insurances (SZV) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten.

While SZV has been audited annually, there has been no financial audit of the OZR Fund in the past 10 years. The audit aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the OZR (“Overheidsziektekostenregeling”) Fund, which provides health coverage for civil servants, teachers, government-affiliated employees, and their dependents. This scheme plays a vital role in ensuring public sector workers and their families have access to quality healthcare.

While a financial audit of the fund was last completed in 2012, and an engagement was initiated for the 2016 through 2018 period, the financial audits have not been carried out. Minister Gumbs has now taken steps, together with SZV, to ensure that these financial audits are conducted annually as we advance.

“Regular, timely financial audits are essential to maintaining trust, transparency, and sound financial management,” said Minister Gumbs. “By making this a yearly process, we ensure proper oversight and strengthen confidence in how public resources are managed.”

In May 2025, the Council of Ministers approved an increase in the government’s monthly OZR contribution from NAf 5.5 million to NAf 6 million. This adjustment reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining the fund’s sustainability and ensuring that it continues to meet the healthcare needs of its beneficiaries.

For several years, there has been uncertainty regarding the exact amount owed by the government to SZV, largely due to the absence of consistent yearly audits. This issue will also be addressed through a separate assignment. The government remains committed to ensuring that the debt to SZV does not continue to increase annually and that proper measures are implemented, including enforcing annual audits, to prevent these issues from recurring and to ensure transparency and accountability.

Enforcement of financial yearly audits marks another step in our commitment to sound financial governance and transparency,” said Minister Gumbs. “By addressing long-standing challenges, we are building a stronger foundation for accountability and sustainability within our public finances.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On behalf of the Secretary Director of the Council of Advice, Mr. Jessey Salomon, the Council is pleased to announce the official publication of its 2024 Annual Report.

In October 2025, the Council of Advice formally presented its 2024 Annual Report to His Excellency the Governor of St. Maarten, Mr. Ajamu G. Baly, The Honorable President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescott-Williams, and The Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina.

The report provides an overview of the Council’s activities, advice issued, and developments in its operational and governance frameworks throughout the reporting year. A copy of the full report is available for public viewing on the Council’s official website: https://coa.sx/annual-reports/.

A new feature in this year’s report is the disclosure of cases where members recused themselves from decision-making due to potential or perceived conflicts of interest. The Council reports that no recusals occurred during the 2024 reporting year.

This new level of transparency aims to demonstrate how the Council’s rules of conduct and order are applied in practice, underscoring its ongoing commitment to integrity, impartiality, and good governance.

1. His Excellency Governor Ajamu G. Baly
2. The Honorable President of Parliament, Sarah A. Wescott-Williams
3. The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina

Willemstad:---  Recently, a historic event took place at the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort: the Statutory General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS). The conference brought together delegations from more than fifty countries, including policymakers and representatives of international organizations, and marked a highlight in Curaçao’s international presence within multilateral cooperation and policy dialogue. The hybrid meeting marked the conclusion of Curaçao’s presidency of AICESIS, the global organization uniting over seventy economic and social councils. After two years of intensive collaboration, diplomacy, and knowledge exchange, Curaçao officially handed over the presidency to Greece, with a heartfelt promise to continue offering support wherever needed.

On October 30, the first board meeting took place, followed by an inspiring workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI). During this session, two international keynote speakers, one representing the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and one from the UNESCO office of the Caribbean, set the stage by linking the theme of the workshop to global policy action. The central theme, “Harnessing AI for good requires aligned action by governments, social partners, and international institutions,” highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, social partners, and international organizations to fully realize AI’s positive potential. Topics discussed included new forms of work, data laborers, the impact of working conditions, AI literacy, and data integrity.

The official ceremony on Friday, October 31, was opened by the Secretary-General of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, Mr. Raul Henriquez, and featured inspiring addresses from outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn, and Prime Minister of Curaçao Gilmar Pisas. Acting Governor Michèle Russel-Capriles was present for the opening ceremony. The atmosphere was warm, proud, and deeply meaningful: a reflection of how far Curaçao has come on the global stage of socio-economic dialogue.

Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas emphasized in his speech the importance of collaboration and inclusion in times of global uncertainty: “The presence of AICESIS reminds us that dialogue remains the most powerful instrument of governance and peace. When governments, employers, and workers collaborate as equals, societies rediscover their shared purpose amidst diversity.”

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, advocated for a responsible and inclusive application of artificial intelligence in education, stating: “Our vision is clear: technology must serve humanity. AI should strengthen education, protect privacy, and promote equal access. By linking innovation with inclusion, we can intertwine democracy and development.”

Outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs reflected with pride on two fruitful years of Curaçao’s leadership: “Development is not a race for output, but a pursuit of balance between innovation and cohesion, prosperity and responsibility. Our collaboration with the UN, ILO, and EU shows that dialogue and trust remain the foundations of inclusive growth.”

During the General Assembly the SER of Curaçao was accepted again as a Board member for the Latin American and Caribbean Region for the upcoming two (2) years and Mrs. Sboui-Racamy, Senior Advisor at the SER of Curaçao was appointed again as Vice Secretary General for our region and as such will coordinate a project with the Hungarian Professor Gustáv Báger using their counterparts in Brazil as an example. The General Assembly concluded with a second board meeting chaired by the new president, the Economic and Social Council of Greece (OKE), Mr. Ioannis Paidas. What began as a formal moment of transition evolved into a celebration of cooperation, mutual trust, and the shared belief that even a small island can make a big impact on the world. The international delegation also enjoyed a carefully curated cultural and social program that offered them a genuine taste of Curaçao’s warmth, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) says the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported outbreaks of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in several regions of the world.  In the Americas Region, several countries have reported an increase in cases. PAHO has therefore called on Member States to strengthen measures and reinforce vector control actions in order to mitigate the risk of outbreaks and reduce complications and deaths.

CHIKV was introduced to the Americas in 2013 and has since spread to most areas.

While CPS has no reported cases of CHIKV, the department is calling on households and businesses to take immediate measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites that would minimize mosquito borne diseases, such as dengue, CHIKV and zika. 

In our tropical climate, frequent rainfall creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, as they can establish a new habitat in as little as half an inch of stagnant water. To effectively protect our community and significantly decrease the mosquito population, the most powerful tool we have is Source Reduction: the consistent elimination of all potential breeding sites. This requires the commitment of every resident on the island.

Unfortunately, many of the most abundant breeding habitats are man-made and easily missed. These sites are any containers that collect and hold rainwater. Common examples include: Household Items: Tin cans, empty paint cans, flowerpots, old pet dishes, buckets, and saucers.

Yard & Storage: Old tires, unused plastic swimming pools, boats on dry dock, and cemetery urns or vases.

Litter: Used food containers, plastic drinking cups, and plastic shopping bags.

Plants: Any plants or containers that naturally collect and hold water.

Source reduction starts with a weekly assessment inside and outside your home and workplace. Take immediate action to implement these key prevention tips: Remove and Reverse: Dispose of or remove any unused containers and artifacts. Turn empty buckets and pots upside down so they cannot collect water.

Cover and Drain: Keep trash bins securely covered. Keep a fine-mesh screen over rain barrels, water tanks, and cistern outlets.

Maintain Flow: Clean your rain gutters and spouts regularly to ensure water flows freely and does not become stagnant.

Modify Containers: If possible, drill drain holes into the bottom of containers that cannot be removed, allowing water to escape.

Clear Vegetation: Properly maintain your yard and surrounding areas by trimming overgrown vegetation, which can hold moisture and shelter mosquitoes.

In addition to eliminating breeding sites, protect yourself from bites, particularly from the Aedes aegypti mosquito (which transmits diseases).

Use Repellent: Apply approved mosquito repellent to exposed skin, strictly following the product label instructions.

Dress Light: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are attracted to dark spaces and dark clothing during their most active feeding times (dusk and dawn). It is recommended to wear light-colored clothing during these times to minimize your visibility to them.

To report any concerns with mosquito breeding or for any assistance, contact CPS’ vector control team by phone +1(721) 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914.

Vector control can also be contacted by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.