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Climate change: How mountain communities are scaling new heights

IFAD Remote mountain pastures in Kyrgyzstan.
INTERNATIONAL, 24 April 2025 Climate and Environment - Low-lying islands aren’t the only ones at risk from our warming planet, as mountain communities are now finding.
Investment in organic farming, sustainable textiles and eco-tourism is helping mountain communities in Central Asia adapt to global warming, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday, urging greater support for regions often overlooked in climate discussions.

Mountain residents relying on family farming are among the world’s poorest people, said the agency’s Director-General Qu Dongyu.

Speaking at the International Conference of the Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development in Bishkek, the FAO chief explained that many alpine people struggle with food insecurity, as climate change, environmental degradation and unsustainable use of resources make it harder to access clean water, food and fertile soils.

Mountain communities, the stewards of mountain resources, have great potential for climate-resilient development.

Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian nation that is home to some of the world’s most diverse and significant mountain ecosystems, is gearing up to host a Global Mountain Summit in 2027.

More resilient systems

“Mountain communities, the stewards of mountain resources, have great potential for climate-resilient development by transforming to more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems,” Mr. Qu said, insisting that the protection of mountain ecosystems is a global responsibility.

More than two billion people globally rely on freshwater from glaciers - a fragile supply endangered by rising temperatures and melting snowcaps, he said.  

There has been some progress – but mountain regions remain strained and increasingly impacted by human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, soil erosion and land degradation.  

Boosting impact

FAO has worked in Kyrgyzstan since 2009 to help the country withstand mounting pressure on its ecosystems. The aims include achieving sustainable food security and supporting sustainable land and forest management.

The UN General Assembly in late 2022 adopted the a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fopenknowledge.fao.org%2Fserver%2Fapi%2Fcore%2Fbitstreams%2Ff73b95cd-bce5-4829-add1-def6868e5233%2Fcontent&data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.johnson%40un.org%7C348fb97edb3d44b1fa7e08dd8328c25a%7C0f9e35db544f4f60bdcc5ea416e6dc70%7C0%7C0%7C638810933251758749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y9qiDpGC0SyI%2B6eQ2K6zOdV%2Bo1S8Rcl4%2FDBC7O7BY7M%3D&reserved=0" title="URL d'origine: Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions to “enhance the awareness of the international community of the problems of mountain countries” and strengthen global efforts to address the challenges these regions face. The plan will extend until 2027.  

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More action needed to beat malaria for good, says UN

© WHO/Isaac Rudakubana WHO has been supporting Universal Health Coverage in Rwanda.
INTERNATIONAL, 24 April 2025 Health - Although strong global collaboration has helped to save nearly 13 million lives from malaria over the past 25 years, more action is needed to stamp out the disease.
Ahead of World Malaria Day on Friday, UN health agency WHO is calling for renewed efforts at all levels – from global policy to community action – to accelerate progress towards elimination.

Malaria is spread by some types of mosquitoes and is mostly found in tropical countries. Symptoms – which can be mild or life-threatening – include fever, chills and headache, seizures, and difficulty breathing.

Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.  In 2023, approximately 94 per cent of all cases, and 95 per cent of deaths, occurred in the region. Most deaths, 76 per cent, were among children under five.

Eye on elimination

WHO recalled that during the late 1990s, world leaders adopted effective policies which led to the prevention of more than two billion cases and nearly 13 million deaths since the year 2000.

As a result, 45 countries and one territory have been certified as malaria-free, and many other countries continue along the path towards elimination. 

Of the remaining 83 malaria-endemic countries worldwide, 25 reported fewer than 10 cases in 2023.

However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said history has shown that these gains are fragile because “when we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable.” (HOW ABOUT USING THIS AS A PULL-QUOTE?) 

But history also reveals what is possible, he added.  Tedros insisted that “with strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action and community engagement, malaria can be defeated.”

Net investment

WHO said years of investments in the development and deployment of new malaria vaccines, as well as tools to prevent and control the disease, are paying off.

On World Malaria Day, Mali will join 19 other African countries in introducing malaria vaccines, representing a vital step towards protecting young children from one of the deadliest diseases on the continent. It is expected that the large-scale rollout of malaria vaccines in Africa will save tens of thousands of young lives every year.

Meanwhile, the expanded use of a new generation of insecticide-treated mosquito nets is set to make further inroads against the disease. 

Progress in peril

Yet, despite significant gains, malaria remains a major public health challenge. Nearly 600,000 deaths occurred in 2023 alone, with the African region hardest hit.

In many areas, progress has been hampered by fragile health systems and rising threats such as drug and insecticide resistance, WHO said. Many at-risk groups also continue to miss out on the services needed to prevent, detect and treat malaria. 

These challenges are further compounded by climate change, conflict, poverty and displacement, while funding cuts this year could further derail progress in many endemic countries, putting millions of additional lives at risk. 

A renewed call 

World Malaria Day 2025 is being celebrated under the theme Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite, and WHO is calling for stepped up political and financial commitment to protect hard-won gains to date.

To reinvest, WHO is joining partners and civil society in calling on malaria-endemic countries to increase domestic spending, particularly in primary healthcare.

The agency is also stressing the need to reignite commitment to help end malaria transmission at all levels – from communities and frontline health workers, to governments, researchers, private sector innovators and donors.  

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Trust collapsing as job fears surge worldwide, warns UN

© ILO/Laetitia Dard An informal sector worker eats by the roadside in Bangkok.
INTERNATIONAL, By Vibhu Mishra 24 April 2025 Economic Development - Billions of people around the world are living in fear of job loss or struggling to find work, as economic instability, conflict, and climate shocks combine to erode global security, a new UN report has warned.
According to the World Social Report 2025 launched on Thursday, the sobering sentiment indicates a widespread lack of confidence in the future.

Despite people living longer, being better educated and more connected than ever before, many believe that life today is worse than it was 50 years ago.

Close to 60 per cent of people surveyed on life satisfaction reported that they were “struggling” with a further 12 per cent describing themselves as “suffering”, the report notes.

Financial insecurity everywhere

According to the report, economic instability is no longer limited to the world’s poorest regions.

Even in high-income countries, rising job uncertainty, gig work and the digital transition are contributing to this trend.  

These jobs may offer flexibility but often come at the cost of security and rights – reducing workers to mere service providers in a commodified labour market.

The insecurities are further compounded by an alarming rise in informal employment. In many low and middle-income countries, jobs with no safety net remains the norm, locking workers into cycles of low pay, instability, and zero benefits.

Even those who manage to enter formal employment face significant risks of being pushed back into the informal sector, especially during downturns.

For over 2.8 billion people living on less than $6.85 a day – the threshold for extreme poverty – “even a small shock can send people into extreme poverty and any escapes from poverty are often temporary,” the report warns.

The situation is further complicated by rising climate change impacts and worsening conflicts, further undermining local economies and deepening inequality, especially in the developing world.

Collapse of trust

As financial pressures mount and stability erodes, public confidence in institutions – and in one another – has also taken a severe hit, particularly among young people.

Over half the world’s population (57 per cent) now expresses low levels of confidence in government. Among those born in the 21st century, trust levels are even lower – raising concerns about long-term civic disengagement and political instability.

People’s trust in one another is also eroding. Fewer than 30 per cent of people in countries with available data believe that most others can be trusted, undermining social cohesion and complicating efforts for collective action.

“The spread of misinformation and disinformation, facilitated by digital technologies, is reinforcing divisions and fuelling distrust,” the report says, warning of abuse and misuse of digital platforms and social media to spread deceit and hate speech, and stoke conflicts.

“Often, users find themselves immersed in virtual and siloed ‘echo chambers’ where they are exposed to news and opinions that align with and may even radicalize their views.”

Platform algorithms facilitate the creation of such echo chambers and reward more extreme content and engagement with higher visibility, the report adds.

Cycle rickshaw drivers navigate the busy streets of Old Delhi, India – a livelihood for many in the informal economy.
© ILO/Vijay Kutty
Cycle rickshaw drivers navigate the busy streets of Old Delhi, India – a livelihood for many in the informal economy.

Time for bold policies

To reverse these damaging trends, the report calls for a bold shift in policymaking – one grounded in equity, economic security and solidarity.

It urges governments to invest more in people through expanding access to quality public services – such as education, healthcare, housing and robust social protection systems.

These investments are not discretionary, the report stresses, but essential to promote resilience and inclusive growth.

It also highlights the need to rebuild trust through inclusive and accountable institutions. At the same time, power and wealth needs to become less concentrated at the very top of society.

Collective solutions

Now more than ever, we must strengthen our resolve to come together and build a world that is more just, secure, resilient and united
– Secretary-General Guterres

As momentum builds toward the Second World Summit for Social Development, which will be held in Doha in November, global leadership will be key to driving transformative change.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need for unity and decisive action in a foreword to the report.

“The global challenges we face demand collective solutions,” he wrote.

“Now more than ever, we must strengthen our resolve to come together and build a world that is more just, secure, resilient and united for each and every one of us.”

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Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence and Gondens International Advisors Partner to Advance Cruise Tourism in South America

Aquila’s Beth Hatt (left) and Melanie Colpitts with Federico Gonzalez Denton at Seatrade Cruise Global earlier this month.

LATIN AMERICA/CANADA - The Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, a global leader in cruise industry training and destination readiness, and Gondens International Advisors, an expert in Latin America destination strategy and stakeholder engagement, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster the growth of cruise tourism in South America and its surrounding regions.

This strategic partnership combines the strengths of both organizations to elevate South America’s position as a premier cruise destination. By leveraging their expertise, they aim to support local stakeholders and foster long-term sustainability in the cruise tourism sector.

“This partnership marks an exciting step forward for cruise tourism in South America. By combining Aquila’s global expertise in cruise training with Gondens’ deep understanding of the Latin American landscape, we’re creating a powerful platform to elevate destination performance, empower local communities, and position the region as a world-class cruise destination,” said Beth Hatt, Founder and Partner of Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence.

Federico Gonzalez Denton, an experienced cruise tourism executive and founder of Gondens International Advisors, commented, “With South America’s rising popularity as a cruise destination, this alliance will equip local stakeholders with the tools to attract and retain cruise lines while fostering sustainable tourism practices.”

The collaboration will focus on three key areas:

Strategic Projects: Joint initiatives for driving sustainable growth and innovation in cruise tourism

Training and Capacity Building: Aquila-led sessions will equip local stakeholders with essential skills to thrive in the cruise market.

Industry Insights and Promotion: Knowledge-sharing initiatives, networking opportunities, and regional forums to enhance industry understanding

This alliance underscores both organizations’ commitment to advancing the cruise industry through education, collaboration and innovative destination development.

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World leaders rally for ‘full-speed’ climate action ahead of COP30

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (on screen) addresses world leaders at a virtual meeting on climate action.
INTERNATIONAL, By Laura Quinones 23 April 2025 Climate and Environment - At a high stakes virtual summit on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brought together 17 national leaders from major economies and climate-vulnerable countries. The goal was to accelerate global climate ambition ahead of COP30, which will be hosted in Brazil.
The meeting was part of a joint mobilisation strategy by the two leaders to strengthen global action under the Paris Agreement and build momentum for stronger national climate plans to be announced in 2025.

The two-hour session held behind closed doors included China, the European Union, the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and small island developing States.

Mr. Guterres described it as one of the most diverse meetings of national leaders focused exclusively on climate for some time, carrying a powerful unifying message.

“As we heard today, the world is moving forward. Full-speed ahead. No group or government can stop the clean energy revolution”, he declared at a press briefing afterwards.

New national commitments

He said many leaders pledged to deliver ambitious new climate plans, formally known as National Determined Contributions (NDCs), as soon as possible in what he called a “strong message of hope”.

Guterres announced that President Xi Jinping confirmed during the meeting that China’s updated NDCs would cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases — a clarification he described as “extremely important” for climate action.

He added that these pledges provide a vital opportunity to chart a bold path for the next decade and most importantly, helps speed up a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewables.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (on screen) joins a virtual meeting of world leaders on climate action.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Chinese President Xi Jinping (on screen) joins a virtual meeting of world leaders on climate action.

‘Economic opportunity of the century’

Renewable energy production is “the economic opportunity of the century,” he said, describing it as the “pathway out of climate hell.”

“The clean energy sector is booming – creating jobs and boosting competitiveness and growth worldwide…Science is on our side and economics have shifted.”

He noted that prices for renewables have fallen dramatically, offering “the surest route to energy sovereignty and security, ending dependence on volatile and expensive fossil fuel imports.”

Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, global projections for warming have declined, from over 4°C this century to 2.6°C if current plans are implemented.

But that still falls short of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels – the goal agreed in Paris by nations and endorsed by climate scientists.

The Secretary-General urged leaders to submit national plans that align with that target, cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, and signal a full commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

A man protests against fossil fuels at an international climate meeting in Dubai in 2023.
© UNFCCC/Kiara Worth
A man protests against fossil fuels at an international climate meeting in Dubai in 2023.

Strategic mobilization

According to a senior UN official who spoke on background prior to the meeting, Wednesday’s summit was “just another step” in the important effort to sustain political momentum during a pivotal year for combating climate change.

The group of invitees, the official said, was “small but representative,” including major economies, regional powers, former COP hosts, and climate-vulnerable nations.

“This is a really important year,” the official said, pointing to the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the upcoming deadline for countries to submit new climate plans.

“This meeting is about reminding leaders that climate remains a key priority – that collaboration and multilateralism still matter.”

A senior Brazilian official who took part said the UN climate summit in Belém will move beyond negotiations to focus on implementation, transparency, and delivery. “We have already negotiated enough…now the world wants to see action – results, examples, solutions.”

The official also stressed that demonstrating tangible outcomes is essential for restoring trust in multilateralism.

“We want to prove that multilateralism is not only about negotiating documents,” they said, “but about making them real.”

Call for justice and finance

Mr. Guterres underscored the need to direct far more support to developing countries, which face the most severe impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.

“Africa and other parts of the developing world are experiencing faster warming – and the Pacific islands are seeing faster sea-level rise – even while the global average itself is accelerating,” he said.

He called on countries to deliver a credible roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion per year for developing nations by 2035, double adaptation finance to $40 billion this year, and increase contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund created at COP28.

No let up on climate action

The Secretary-General also announced a high-level UN event in September – just weeks ahead of COP30 – to assess progress on climate plans and finance.

The message was clear, according to Mr. Guterres. “We cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action.”

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UN chief hails Pope Francis as ‘a transcendent voice for peace’

UN Photo/Rein Skullerud Secretary-General António Guterres (right) during an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome in December 2019.
INTERNATIONAL, 21 April 2025 UN Affairs - UN Secretary-General António Guterres has joined the world in mourning the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday in Vatican City aged 88.
The pontiff - born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina - was elected in March 2013.  He was the first priest from the Americas region to lead the Catholic Church worldwide and a strong voice for social justice globally.

Mr. Guterres described him as a messenger of hope, humility and humanity.

Legacy and inspiration

“Pope Francis was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service and compassion for all — especially those left on the margins of life or trapped by the horrors of conflict,” he said.

Furthermore, he “was a man of faith for all faiths — working with people of all beliefs and backgrounds to light a path forward.”

The Secretary-General said the UN was greatly inspired by the Pope’s commitment to the goals and ideals of the global organization, a message that he conveyed in their various meetings. 

Strong environmental message

The Secretary-General recalled that the Pope spoke of the organization’s ideal of a “united human family” during his historic visit to UN Headquarters in New York in 2015.

“Pope Francis also understood that protecting our common home is, at heart, a deeply moral mission and responsibility that belongs to every person,” said Mr. Guterres, noting that his second Encyclical – Laudato Si – was a major contribution to the global mobilisation that resulted in the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.

“Pope Francis once said: “The future of humankind isn’t exclusively in the hands of politicians, of great leaders, of big companies…[it] is, most of all, in the hands of those people who recognize the other as a ‘you’ and themselves as part of an ‘us,’” he added.

The Secretary-General concluded by saying that “our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.”

Pope Francis addresses the General Assembly during his visit to United Nations Headquarters in 2015.
UN Photo/Kim Haughton
Pope Francis addresses the General Assembly during his visit to United Nations Headquarters in 2015.

Voice for change

During his September 2015 visit to the UN, Pope Francis delivered a wide-ranging address to leaders gathered in the General Assembly Hall to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He urged global action to protect the environment and end the suffering of "vast ranks of the excluded.”  He also suggested that the UN could be improved and can “be the pledge of a secure and happy future for future generations”.

“The international juridical framework of the United Nations and of all its activities, like any other human endeavour, can be improved, yet it remains necessary,” he said.

Five years later, during the virtual meeting of the UN General Assembly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pope said the crisis was also an opportunity to rethink our way of life – and systems that are widening global inequality. 

People over profit

Pope Francis was a strong supporter of the UN, including its humanitarian work. 

He engaged with the three UN agencies based in Rome, namely the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).  

In a message to the FAO Conference in June 2021, he expressed concern over rising food insecurity amid the pandemic and called for developing a “circular economy” that both guarantees resources for all people and promotes the use of renewable energy sources.

“If we are to recover from the crisis that is ravaging us, we must develop an economy tailored to fit mankind, not motivated mainly by profit but anchored in the common good, ethically friendly and kind to the environment,” he said.

Ending conflict

Most recently, the Pope backed UN efforts towards ending the current unrest in South Sudan, where rising political tensions and fresh mobilization of the army and opposing armed groups in some regions have raised fears of a return to civil war.

The UN Special Representative for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, told the Security Council just last week that the UN Mission in the country, UNMISS, was engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to broker a peaceful solution alongside many stakeholders, including the African Union, regional bloc IGAD, Pope Francis and others. 

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Tropical Shipping Exempted from $1 Million Port Fee Tariffs. Tropical President Attributes Victory to Strong Caribbean Advocacy

Tropical Shipping offloading containers at Port St. Maarten (file photo)

SINT MAARTEN/FLORIDA – President Trump’s executive order aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry grandfathered American-owned carriers like Tropical Shipping that currently rely on Chinese-built vessels.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed surcharges that would have cost Tropical Shipping customers an additional $3,000 per 40-foot container load, will not go into effect.

“This is a huge victory for us and the entire Caribbean region that we serve,” said Tropical Shipping President and CEO Tim Martin. “Our voices were heard. We could not have accomplished this without the relentless advocacy from our Caribbean representatives in Washington, D.C., our customers, and the many organizations that wrote letters to the USTR describing the devastating multiplier effect these port fees would have had on all of us.”

Martin says a USTR committee member was surprised by the massive response from Caribbean leaders and businesses.

“One of Tropical’s core values is, ‘Responsiveness is our driving force.’ Caribbean communities were our driving force on this issue, and I can’t thank you enough. I want to give a special thanks to the following:

  • Our dedicated employees
  • Our customers
  • Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, United States Virgin Islands
  • Governor Albert Bryan - United States Virgin Islands
  • Teri Helenese, Director of the Federal Relations Office of the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
  • President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana
  • Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and Chair of CARICOM
  • Dr. Patrick Antione, CARICOM Private Sector Organization
  • Wazim Mowla, Atlantic Council
  • Caribbean Shipping Association
  • Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association
  • Caribbean Ambassador to the United States
  • Caribbean Tourism Organization
  • Members of the Florida Congressional Representatives

Martin will continue to advocate in Washington, D.C., to strategize the long-term plans to bring U.S. shipbuilding back to the U.S. and how American carriers like Tropical can prepare for the future.

Tropical Shipping is headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, and has served the Caribbean market since 1963.

Tropical’s transportation services include refrigerated, dry, Full-Container-Load (FCL), Less-than-Container-Load (LCL), small package, consolidation, inland transportation, and global logistics services.

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ACT to Host Final Cruise Town Hall April 25 with Port St. Maarten CEO Gumbs Ahead of Referendum

Alexander Gumbs, CEO, Port St. Maarten

SINT MAARTEN/CAYMAN ISLANDS - As the April 30 cruise berthing referendum nears, The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) in the Cayman Islands is inviting all Caymanians to attend its final public town hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort.

The event, which begins with a 6 p.m. meet-and-greet followed by a 7 p.m. start, will feature Alexander Gumbs, Chief Executive Officer of Port St. Maarten. Gumbs will share firsthand insights into how cruise berthing infrastructure has driven economic growth and helped protect marine environments in other destinations.

ACT is encouraging participation from all sectors of the community – taxi drivers, tour operators, shop owners, hospitality workers, and even those opposed to cruise berthing – in what it describes as a vital conversation about the future of cruise tourism. “This is bigger than any one group – it’s about the future of cruise tourism and the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians,” said ACT Executive Program Manager Ellio Solomon. “Everyone has a stake in this decision, and every voice deserves to be heard.”

Solomon emphasized that sustainable growth is not only pro-Caymanian, but also pro-environment. “We’ve heard a lot of noise lately, but let’s be clear: sustainable growth is at the core of what ACT stands for,” he said. “Every day we delay is another day our seabed suffers from destructive anchoring. That’s why we support building cruise piers through responsible, proven public-private partnerships – solutions working across the region, the world, and right here at home.”

He added that ACT’s position is rooted in transparency and long-term vision: “This is about protecting what we love – our environment, our economy, and our children’s future. Caymanians deserve more than empty slogans and false narratives. They deserve facts, accountability and real action.”

Solomon also criticized what he called performative politics and “woke elitism” for standing in the way of job creation and infrastructure development. “The real threat to Cayman isn’t development – it’s the mindset that demonizes any effort to build a better future. Caymanians are wide awake. We know the difference between progress and posturing.”

Highlighting the urgency of modernization, Solomon warned that Cayman risks losing relevance in the global cruise industry: “You can’t say yes to cruise tourism but no to the infrastructure that keeps it alive. In the next five years, 80 percent of cruise passengers in the Caribbean will be sailing on mega ships – and they don’t tender. Without a pier, we’ll be bypassed. In fact, we’re already being bypassed, with a nearly 50 percent decline in cruise arrivals since 2019. Isn’t that enough to sound the alarm?”

He concluded with a stark warning: “Once we fall below a critical mass of cruise calls, the industry won’t just decline – it will collapse. Not from lack of demand, but because we failed to adapt. As we say in Cayman, ‘If we don’t hear, we will feel.’ And Cayman is already feeling it. Businesses have closed, jobs have disappeared, and government revenue is slipping.”

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. (Source: The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) in the Cayman Islands)

About The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) in the Cayman Islands

The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) represents a coalition of stakeholders dedicated to the sustainable and responsible growth of the cruise tourism industry in the Cayman Islands. With members across a broad spectrum of the local economy, including tour operators, merchants, restaurants, bars and transportation providers, ACT advocates for the businesses, entrepreneurs and local stakeholders who benefit from cruise tourism, ensuring their voices are heard in decisions impacting this crucial sector. ACT is also dedicated to educating the public, advocating for balanced policies, and supporting initiatives that drive economic growth while benefiting all residents of the Cayman islands. For more information, visit actcayman.com

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Kadaster extends new credit line for legal professionals for more efficient service

Kadaster Director Benjamin Ortega (left), and the Dean of the Bar Association, Zylena Bary meet as part of Kadaster’s ongoing outreach to professional stakeholders.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In a move aimed at improving accessibility and streamlining service delivery, Kadaster St. Maarten has introduced a new credit line starting from Cg. 5,000 and upwards, with a 60-day payment term for eligible clients, including legal professionals.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to support fair and timely access to Kadaster’s services and was announced during a recent meeting between Kadaster Director Benjamin Ortega and the Dean of the Bar Association, Zylena Bary.

The credit line initiative enables legal professionals with regulatory engagements to:

  • Formally request services and receive official invoices.
  • Access a starting credit line of Cg. 5,000, with 60 days to settle from the date of invoice.
  • Use a standardized submission form, which will be shared with the Bar Association to streamline engagements.

A key topic during the meeting was Kadaster’s upcoming Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, which will provide clients with online access to mapping and cadastral services, similar in functionality to Google Maps. The new digital service will:

  • Allow clients to make online service requests.
  • Provide subscription-based access to spatial data that previously required in-person visits.
  • Improve efficiency and turnaround times for legal and administrative processes.

The GIS platform is expected to go live by Q2 2025, marking a significant step in Kadaster’s digital transformation journey.

The discussion forms part of Kadaster’s ongoing outreach to professional stakeholders, following a similar engagement earlier this year with the Notaries of St. Maarten. These stakeholder meetings aim to improve collaboration and enhance client services across the legal landscape.

To further support the legal community, Kadaster will also host an information session tailored specifically for lawyers, providing deeper insight into its services, including land registration and its evolving digital platforms.

The meeting with Bary reflects Kadaster’s commitment to fostering strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting was to improve collaboration and engagement between the Bar Association and the Kadaster, with the immediate impact being an improvement in services delivered to the Bar’s clients.

Bary commended the proactive approach taken by Mr. Ortega, particularly in addressing administrative bottlenecks and seeking practical solutions that benefit all legal professionals. She expressed enthusiasm for continued dialogue and looks forward to future meetings to track the progress of these initiatives.

The Bar Association represents approximately 50 members in Sint Maarten, and nearly 400 members across the Dutch Caribbean. Several members operate within the same firm, and while Kadaster does not distinguish between firm sizes, this initiative is expected to be particularly beneficial for smaller firms that may face challenges with upfront payment requirements. These measures are expected to positively impact on overall business performance by improving how services are accessed and delivered.

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MP Lacroes Requests Public Meeting to Share Parlatino Updates

MP Lacroes

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco A. Lacroes in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Parlatino Matters, has called for a public meeting to provide updates and share insights from Sint Maarten’s participation in various Parlatino committee meetings held over the past months. The meeting will allow Members of Parliament who attended these sessions to present their findings and contributions.

MP Lacroes aims to ensure transparency and accountability by informing Parliament and the public about the activities and discussions that took place during Parlatino committee gatherings. These updates are crucial for understanding Sint Maarten’s engagement in regional parliamentary matters and its role in addressing shared challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The presentations will cover the following committees:

  1. Committee on Political, Municipal Affairs, and Integration and its meetings held on meetings held in October 2024, November 2024, and March 2025.
  2. Committee on Gender Equality, Children, and Youth and its meetings held on sessions held during the same periods.
  3. Committee on Indigenous, Afro-Descendant Peoples and Ethnic Groups on the March 2025 meeting.
  4. Committee on Human Rights, Justice, and Prison Policies on the meeting held in March 2025 meeting.
  5. Committee on Public Services and Consumer Protection on the meeting held in April 2025 meeting.
  6. Committee on Economic Affairs, Social Debt, and Regional Development on the meetings held in April 2025 meeting.

Importance of Parlatino Engagement

Parlatino serves as a vital platform for collaboration among member states to address regional issues such as human rights, gender equality, economic development, public services, and environmental sustainability. Sint Maarten’s active participation in these committees highlights its commitment to contributing to solutions that benefit both the island nation and the broader region.

This public meeting marks an important step in sharing the experiences and insights gained by Sint Maarten's representatives during their participation in Parlatino. It underscores the island's dedication to regional cooperation and its role in shaping policies that impact the Caribbean and Latin America. By hosting this session, Parliament aims to foster a deeper understanding of Sint Maarten's contributions to Parlatino and its ongoing efforts to address regional challenges collaboratively.

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