Government’s SDG Expo highlights practical solutions for a more sustainable St. Maarten

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten’s recent Sustainable Development Goals Expo brought together government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses and community partners to showcase practical ways the country can advance sustainability, strengthen resilience and encourage more responsible everyday choices.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister urged residents to move beyond repeatedly talking about sustainability and resilience and instead translate those principles into changes in personal behaviour. He said the future of St. Maarten will depend in part on how individuals approach consumption, purchasing decisions, household waste and other daily activities that affect the environment and the quality of life that will be inherited by future generations.

The Expo placed particular focus on eight Sustainable Development Goals considered important to building a stronger and healthier future for St. Maarten: Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water and Partnerships for the Goals.

Organizers emphasized awareness, collaboration and action as central themes of the event.

One of the initiatives highlighted was the work of the Meteorological Department, which demonstrated instruments used to collect weather and climate information. Representatives explained that St. Maarten is expanding its network of automatic weather stations across the country.

Previously, instruments were concentrated at the airport, while the expanded network allows information such as rainfall and temperature to be measured at different locations across St. Maarten.

Environmental research and data collection were also featured through the CORENA project, a collaboration between the Nature Foundation and the Ministry of VROMI under RESEMBID.

The project developed data to support management of St. Maarten’s marine and terrestrial resources, including mapping marine habitats in territorial waters up to 30 metres deep and studying ecosystems such as seagrass and coral reefs.

The initiative also included research on terrestrial species and training in geographic information systems to strengthen evidence-based decision-making on marine and land use.

Plastic waste was another major focus. An initiative operating under Environmental Protection in the Caribbean, EPIC, demonstrated how discarded plastic can be collected, processed and turned into new products instead of being added to St. Maarten’s waste stream.

The initiative also works with schools to educate children about the environmental impact of plastics and encourages simple changes such as reducing unnecessary use of disposable cups and straws.

The plastic recycling project also serves a social role, providing opportunities for clients from the White & Yellow Cross and Mental Health Foundation to participate in washing, cutting and shredding plastic for reuse.

Organizers said the initiative gives differently abled members of the community an opportunity to contribute while helping to reduce waste.

Local businesses used the Expo to demonstrate how sustainability can also be incorporated into commercial activity.

KAM Trading presented eco-friendly disposable products manufactured from materials including sugar cane waste, agave and paper, encouraging businesses and consumers to consider the long-term environmental impact of their purchasing choices rather than relying primarily on traditional foam and plastic products.

Qredits highlighted financing and support available to entrepreneurs, including energy loans, agricultural loans, microcredit and working capital.

In addition to financing, Qredits representatives explained that the organization offers one-on-one coaching, training and courses designed to help business owners strengthen their knowledge and improve their operations.

Renewable energy solutions were also featured, with DINOV explaining options ranging from grid-tied solar installations to hybrid and off-grid systems.

Representatives encouraged residents to become more conscious of how and when they consume electricity, noting that solar systems and battery storage can allow households and businesses to use energy generated during daylight hours later in the day.

Electric mobility was another component of the Expo.

Motoworld displayed an electric vehicle and discussed the potential savings associated with electric transportation. Company representatives said a full charge for the vehicle on display was estimated at approximately US$35 and could provide a stated range of about 620 kilometres, while other extended-range models could travel farther with an engine serving as backup.

The Prime Minister said the initiatives on display demonstrated that considerable work and thinking are already taking place in St. Maarten.

He encouraged residents to examine the Expo closely and recognize that achieving sustainable development will require individual responsibility alongside government policy and private-sector innovation.

He stressed that protecting St. Maarten for future generations requires residents to be more critical of their own behaviour and to recognize the cumulative impact of everyday choices.

The Prime Minister also thanked the organizers for staging the Expo and expressed hope that more residents will attend similar events because of their importance to the country’s future.

Organizers closed the evening by emphasizing that building a sustainable future is a shared responsibility and thanked government officials, exhibitors, partners, speakers, volunteers and members of the public who participated in the event.

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