Secretary of State for the Interior and Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum is making a working visit to Sint Maarten, Aruba, and Curaçao from August 10 to 15. This is his first trip to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom since taking over the portfolio of Kingdom Relations from his predecessor. The visit of Secretary of State Van Marum focuses on an initial acquaintance with the islands and the leaders. Important topics during the working visit include food security, reconstruction in Sint Maarten, and economic development.
Sint Maarten
The visit starts immediately upon arrival on Sunday, August 10, with a tour of both the Dutch and French sides of the island. The secretary also meets with the teams of the Dutch representation in Philipsburg and the Temporary Work Organization. On Monday, August 11, the formal part of the working visit begins with an introduction to Governor Ajamu Baly, Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, and the Council of Ministers, as well as with the Chairperson of the Sint Maarten Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams. The afternoon focuses on crisis management during the hurricane season and the reconstruction after the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria. The secretary speaks with partners involved in crisis management and tours various reconstruction projects with the National Recovery and Program Bureau (NRPB). He visits the new hospital construction and the waste management project: Emergency Debris Management Project. The secretary is also informed about the Enterprise Support Project aimed at promoting local SMEs in Sint Maarten. The visit to Sint Maarten concludes with a meeting with partners in the law enforcement chain, including the Sint Maarten Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling.
Aruba
On Tuesday, August 12, Mr. Van Marum flies to Aruba, where he begins with an introduction to the staff of the Dutch Representation in Oranjestad. For the formal part of the working visit to Aruba, he visits the Aruban Governor, Alfonso Boekhoudt. This is followed by an introduction to the Speaker of the Aruba Parliament, Marlon Sneek, and the party leaders in the Aruban parliament.
On Wednesday, August 13, Mr. Van Marum speaks with Prime Minister Mike Eman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Kingdom Relations, Education, Youth, Innovation, and Sports Gerlien Croes, and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever. One of the secretarys priorities is the theme of food security. For this, the cabinet has allocated 24 million euros through a yet-to-be-established revolving fund. Therefore, a visit to the AGRI Innovation Park is on the agenda in Aruba. This initiative focuses on sustainable agricultural development and food security. In the afternoon, the secretary visits various locations on the island, including San Nicolas and Palm Beach. At the end of the day, Mr. Van Marum flies to Curaçao.
Curaçao
The visit to Curaçao starts on Thursday, August 14, with an introductory meeting with Governor Lucille George-Wout. She will step down as Governor of Curaçao on November 4 after two terms. Mr. Van Marum then meets with the Council of Ministers of Curaçao, led by Deputy Prime Minister Javier Silvania. The secretary also speaks with Speaker of the Parliament Fergino Brownbill and gets to know the members of the Kingdom Relations Committee. In the afternoon, the secretary visits Hòfi Cas Cora, an eco-farm run by young local entrepreneurs. Following this, a discussion takes place with the partners involved in the theme of safe borders. In the afternoon, during a walk through the Otrobanda district, the secretary meets with civil society and representatives of the business community in Curaçao. The secretary also visits the Mangrove Park Curaçao under the guidance of park rangers from the research institute Carmabi, where he is informed about the vulnerability of mangroves and coral. On this day, an introduction with the team of the Dutch Representation in Willemstad is also scheduled.
Friday, August 15, is already the last day of the working visit. In the morning, he visits the newly opened office of the Slavery History Memorial Committee as well as the monument for resistance leader Tula. Due to the importance of food security, Secretary of State Van Marum also visits Zakito, where he talks with the fishermens cooperative and a representative of the LVV: Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. He also visits the Bob Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and education of indigenous birds. Finally, in the context of food security, the secretary visits a local supermarket in Curaçao.