Sint Maarten planning security strategies with NCSC: Government seeks to improve safety measures

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten—A delegation from the Ministry of Justice and Security, Department National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCSC) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Ms. Silveria Jacobs. The delegation visited St. Maarten for stakeholder sessions regarding the development of a Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Coordinated by the NCSC in the Netherlands, this Security Strategy is currently being developed with involvement of all countries in the Kingdom. The strategy is an important tool, because it outlines the long-term approach to secure the Kingdom of the Netherlands against threats to our national security. This is extremely important as there are currently conflicts happening worldwide that can have effect on St. Maarten notwithstanding threats such as cyber security, the effects of climate change and pandemics.

The objective of having a Security Strategy is to enhance the resilience and safety of the Kingdom. The delegation met with several stakeholders, internal as well as external. Topics discussed were climate- and natural disasters, disaster risk management, threat to critical infrastructure, infectious diseases, cyber-attacks, and organized crime. During the various stakeholder sessions, the attendees were able to give relevant input to the Security Strategy for the perspective of Sint Maarten, highlighting the risks and threats unique to our island.

“It is essential for us to develop plans that are not just reactive, but those that will anticipate potential limitations to the Kingdom’s security protocols. As a Small Island Developing State, it is imperative that we secure ourselves by lending our voice and expose weaknesses, so they can be secured.” said Prime Minister Jacobs.

The outcome from the stakeholder sessions will be provided to the stakeholders for review and further comments. In addition to this, a project group has been formed consisting of members from the various countries within the Kingdom to further gather the necessary information and data as well as to guide the development of the Security Strategy. The first draft of the Security Strategy is expected at the end of the first quarter of 2023.