Historic AICESIS Meeting in Curaçao Marks Inspiring Conclusion of Presidency SER.

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.


CPS: PAHO Reports Outbreaks of Chikungunya. Appeals to households and businesses to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding.

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.

Container Fire Near SXM Airport Quickly Contained — No Impact On Operations.

Simpson Bay:---  On Saturday night, at approximately 10:45 PM, a container fire occurred at the Airways facility of Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).

Personnel from Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company (PJIAE) and the Island Government Fire Department responded swiftly and professionally. Their coordinated efforts ensured the fire was extinguished in a short time, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of all personnel on-site. There were no injuries reported, and airport operations remained unaffected throughout the incident.

PJIAE extends its appreciation to the island’s Fire Department for their swift and professional response, as well as to the on-duty PJIAE staff who provided valuable support during the incident. Their coordinated efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration, safety awareness, and preparedness across all partners involved in airport operations.

PJIAE remains committed to keeping its staff and stakeholders informed regarding significant events and ongoing safety measures.

CBCS Launches Second Edition of the Manufacturing Sector Survey in Curaçao.

To guide economic insights 

Willemstad/Philipsburg:---The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) is undertaking a new round of data collection from companies in Curaçao’s manufacturing sector to assess domestic developments. Building on the successful first survey conducted in 2024, this second edition aims to provide a follow-up on current manufacturing activities, including production, employment, exports, investments, and key business challenges. This survey serves as part of CBCS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen data collection and gain deeper insights into the performance and challenges of the manufacturing industry in Curaçao. In this regard, the opinion of businesses about their current performance, the economic situation in general, and their expectations for the near future can provide valuable insights for economic analysis and forecasting. 

On November 3, 2025, the CBCS will send a link to an online survey, available in Papiamentu, Dutch, and English, to businesses in the manufacturing sector. The estimated time to complete the survey is 10 minutes. Responses will remain anonymous, and all data will be treated with strict confidentiality.

For robust economic analysis, reliable data and information from key sectors are essential. In August of this year, the CBCS expanded its industry-specific survey program by including the construction sector. The information collected through these surveys serves as valuable input for the CBCS Economic Bulletin, which is published four times a year and provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance and outlook of the economies of both Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The CBCS conducts such analyses to support monetary, fiscal, and broader economic policymaking and to assess the effectiveness of these policies. In addition, the insights derived from this work can assist businesses in financial planning and investment decision-making.

The CBCS kindly requests the cooperation of companies in the manufacturing sector in Curaçao in completing the survey before November 17, 2025. Businesses operating in the manufacturing sector that have not received the survey but would like to participate, may request the link to the online survey via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..Your insights and experiences will help gain a better understanding of the development and performance of the economy of Curaçao. 

 

Willemstad, November 2, 2025 

CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN

CCRIF To Make Record US$70.8 Million (J$11.4 Billion) Payout to Jamaica Following the Devastation Caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Cayman Islands:--- CCRIF SPC announced that it will make a payout of US$70.8 million to the Government of Jamaica following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. This marks the largest single payout in CCRIF’s history and is a powerful demonstration of the organization’s parametric insurance model. Subject to final model verification, this payout will be made within 14 days, consistent with CCRIF’s commitment to speed, transparency, and fiscal responsiveness.

In announcing the payout, CCRIF CEO, Mr. Isaac Anthony, stated: “This payout to Jamaica is not just a financial transaction, it is a reaffirmation of CCRIF’s mission to stand with our members in their most difficult moments. On behalf of the CCRIF Board, Management, and Team, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Jamaica. We are proud to support the Government’s swift response and recovery efforts, and we remain committed to helping build a more resilient and secure future for all.”

In addition to the tropical cyclone payout, the Government of Jamaica is expected to receive a second payout under its excess rainfall policy, pending final model calculations. Excess rainfall assessments typically take a few days longer than tropical cyclone evaluations due to the complexity of rainfall distribution and localized impacts. CCRIF will confirm the outcome for this potentially additional payout once the modelled loss value is fully validated.

Jamaica, a founding member of CCRIF at its establishment in 2007, has long integrated CCRIF’s parametric insurance products –- covering tropical cyclones, excess rainfall, and earthquakes – into its comprehensive disaster risk financing strategy and risk layering framework. This strategic foresight has enabled Jamaica to be certain of the availability of liquidity just three days after Hurricane Melissa crossed the island, with CCRIF’s tropical cyclone policy triggering automatically based on modelled loss values.

Within the context of Jamaica’s dynamic disaster risk financing framework, CCRIF stands ready to support the Government in expanding its coverage portfolio by considering additional products from CCRIF for the water and electric utility sectors, as well as the fisheries sector. This will further enhance the government’s financial protection strategy and ensure continuity of essential services in the face of future climate-related shocks. The government currently has coverage from CCRIF for tropical cyclones, excess rainfall, and earthquakes.

 

CCRIF’s parametric insurance policies are designed to respond to the intensity of a hazard event, considering the assets exposed, and the modelled losses based on the organization’s state-of-the-art parametric insurance models, without requiring on-the-ground damage assessments.

This US$70.8 million/J$11.4 billion marks the fourth payout to Jamaica, bringing the country’s total value of payouts from CCRIF to US$100.9 million. In 2024, Jamaica received US$26.6 million following Hurricane Beryl, and in 2020, a payout was made after Tropical Cyclones Zeta and Eta.

Since its inception, CCRIF has made 81 payouts totalling US$462 million to member governments (inclusive of this current payout). These payouts enable countries to address urgent post-disaster needs, from providing food, water, shelter and medicines for vulnerable populations, to undertaking infrastructure repairs and supporting the recovery of the agriculture, tourism, and education sectors as well as repairs to public utilities. Payouts have also helped governments to stabilize public finances, protect development gains, and support vulnerable populations.

CCRIF’s parametric insurance model, now globally recognized, has proven to be both technically sound and economically transformative. Annual coverage has exceeded US$1 billion since 2021 and now stands at US$1.44 billion. CCRIF operates the largest parametric insurance programme in the world, supported by proprietary models, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to innovation.

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