Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) hosted the 65th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors on November 13–14, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel. Chaired by CBCS President Richard Doornbosch, the meeting brought together governors from eleven Caribbean jurisdictions to discuss regional economic developments and strengthen the resilience of the Caribbean’s financial systems. The central theme, “Resilience through Transformation”, guided deliberations on the global challenges, including those posed by climate risk.
On November 13, the CBCS hosted the 38th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture - a highlight of the 56th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC). This year’s keynote speaker was Jeanette Semeleer, President of the Centrale Bank van Aruba. In her address, titled “Aruba, From Isla Inutil to Isla Innovativo,” Mrs. Semeleer drew on Aruba’s experience with external shocks to emphasize that true economic resilience is not merely bouncing back, but also bouncing forward.
Governors underscored the importance of developing green finance taxonomies and outlined the key steps toward establishing a Regional Green Financial Taxonomy. As part of this initiative, the World Bank/IFC and CARICOM will engage stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulators, and supervisory bodies, to ensure that the taxonomy reflects the region’s specific needs and context.
The Governors agreed to move beyond the proof of concept of the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS) by starting a pilot involving The Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the ECCU as participating jurisdictions. CAPSS is being designed to deliver instant local currency payments across participating CARICOM countries.
They also highlighted the potential of digital innovation, particularly fast payment systems and digital payments, to advance financial inclusion, improve efficiency, and facilitate cross-border
1 Mrs. Jeanette Semeleer (Centrale Bank van Aruba), Dr. John Rolle (Central Bank of The Bahamas), Dr. Kevin Greenidge (Central Bank of Barbados), Mr. Kareem Michael (Central Bank of Belize), Mr. Richard Doornbosch (Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten), Dr. Timothy Antoine (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank), Dr. Gobind Ganga (Bank of Guyana), Mr. Ronald Gabriel (Banque de la République d’Haïti), Mr. Richard Byles (Bank of Jamaica), Mr. Maurice Roemer (Centrale Bank van Suriname), Mr. Larry Howai (Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago)
transactions across the Caribbean. They emphasized that, regardless of the technology adopted, public institutions must continue to play a central role in safeguarding the public’s interest.
Working groups and technical committees presented their reports, including updates from the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), the Caribbean Group of Banking Supervisors, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Group, the Regional Reserves Managers Group, the Central Bank Communication Working Group, and the HR Directors Working Group. These updates reinforced the importance of sustained cross-border collaboration in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global financial environment.
Another highlight of the AMSC was the Governors’ Panel Discussion “The Changing Role of the U.S. Dollar Amid Rising Stablecoins: Implications for Caribbean Resilience”. President Richard Doornbosch hosted the panel. It featured Governor Kareem Michael from the Central Bank of Belize, Governor John Rolle of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, and Governor Timothy Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The Governors explored the evolving role of the U.S. dollar amidst the rise of stablecoins and the implications for the Caribbean.
The Governors also examined the cybersecurity challenges facing central banks. They stressed the significance of strengthening cyber resilience and participated in an in-depth masterclass.
As the meeting concluded, Governors reaffirmed their collective commitment to deepening regional integration, enhancing financial stability, and advancing transformative initiatives across the Caribbean. President Richard Doornbosch expressed his appreciation for the constructive engagement, noting that unity and collective action are essential to navigating global uncertainties and external shocks.
The Governors will reconvene in May 2026 for the 66th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors under the chairmanship of Governor Kareem Michael of the Central Bank of Belize.
Willemstad, November 14, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Youth is pleased to announce the completion of the first draft of the Child Safeguarding Guidelines for Youth Organizations. These Guidelines outline the essential principles, responsibilities, and practices needed to ensure that all children can participate in activities safely and without risk of harm, abuse, or exploitation. They also introduce clear expectations for organizations, including safe behaviour standards, reporting procedures, the appointment of Child Safeguarding Officers, and child-friendly approaches to promoting safety.

Throughout 2026, the Department of Youth will work closely with youth organizations, community groups, parents and guardians, and—most importantly—children and young people themselves to further develop and refine these Guidelines. Stakeholders will be invited to review the draft, provide feedback, participate in training workshops, and contribute to the development of organizational safeguarding policies. Their input will be essential to building a strong, child-centered safeguarding system for our island.

The Department of Youth will release details on upcoming workshops, awareness sessions, and feedback opportunities in the first quarter of 2026.

“We look forward to working closely with our partners in 2026 to build a system that truly reflects the needs and voices of our children,” the Department stated.

PHILIPSBURG:---  During a parliamentary meeting on November 13th focused on transportation, Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley delivered a sharp critique, arguing that the discussion failed to address the core economic concerns of the nation's taxi drivers. He called for immediate, substantive action to improve their livelihoods, especially as the Christmas season approached.
MP Ottley began by drawing attention to the taxi drivers present at the meeting, stating they were not interested in political disputes but in practical solutions. "They're here to hear how we are going to improve their livelihood, how we are going to ensure that they can generate enough funds," he remarked. He expressed disappointment that "nothing of substance was brought up for these gentlemen and women" to give them hope for the upcoming tourism season.
The MP defended the practice of issuing licenses to older, more experienced drivers, describing them as "the pioneers of this country" who possess invaluable local knowledge. He connected this to the rising pension age, arguing that experienced drivers over 60 should not be forced into inactivity but should be supported.
A significant part of Ottley’s address focused on what he described as governmental inaction on a key piece of legislation designed to help transportation workers. As the former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), he explained that a measure to provide insurance for sole proprietors, including taxi and bus drivers, had already passed most of the legislative hurdles.
He stated that the Council of Advice had rendered its final advice on the matter in November 2023, leaving only the final report to be prepared for parliamentary handling. Ottley claimed he had offered to help the current minister advance this and other "low-hanging fruits" but was rebuffed. "One of those low-hanging fruits... is sitting on the minister's desk since November 2023," he asserted.
MP Ottley declared his commitment to bringing the legislation to Parliament himself if the government fails to act, emphasizing his focus is on tangible results for the drivers. "I am here for the taxi drivers and bus drivers," he concluded. "And how can we better your life?"

PHILIPSBURG:--- During Thursday’s Committee of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) meeting, Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell Irion raised pressing concerns about the government’s handling of transportation licenses and the need for greater consistency in how such issues are addressed.
MP Irion questioned the government's approach to promoting meetings related to transportation licenses, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication and equitable attention to all pressing matters within the sector. He pointed out that while certain meetings receive major promotion, including strong social media campaigns and videos, other crucial sessions directly impacting transportation stakeholders often go largely unnoticed.
“I would like from the government some type of consistency,” Irion stated, drawing a contrast between the selective promotion of meetings and the limited attention given to transportation license discussions that impact many within the community.
He also criticized the government for what he sees as an overall lack of transparency, particularly highlighting the inadequate promotion of meetings related to the 2025 budget amendment. Irion stressed that the government continues to make financial decisions, such as operating without an officially approved budget, which raises constitutional concerns. He called for significant fiscal matters, including future discussions affecting the transportation sector, to be promoted and addressed with the same seriousness and visibility as other high-profile meetings.
MP Irion concluded his remarks by urging the government to adopt consistent and transparent practices in promoting and managing all important meetings—especially those concerning transportation licenses—to ensure stakeholders are properly informed and involved.