GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Claret Connor represented St. Maarten in a high-level meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Aruba Minister of Justice, Integration, Public Transport and Energy Arthur Dowers.
The meeting addressed the climate crisis, implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, the Sustainable Development Goals and wider international developments, including the war in Ukraine and its impacts, as well as the international legal and human rights architecture. The UN Secretary-General’s office confirmed Connor’s participation in the Kingdom delegation.
Connor’s participation placed St. Maarten directly in a discussion that carries particular relevance for Caribbean islands facing the effects of climate change, including stronger storms, infrastructure vulnerability and the wider social and economic consequences of climate-related shocks.
The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, adopted in 2024, is a 10-year framework intended to guide international action on the development challenges facing small island states. Its priorities include climate resilience, sustainable development, stronger institutions, access to finance and international partnerships.
The United Nations has continued to emphasize that small island states face particular structural pressures, including geographic isolation, exposure to disasters, economic shocks and financing constraints, all of which can complicate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussion also came as the UN continues preparations for the 2027 Sustainable Development Goals Summit, with renewed attention being placed on climate resilience, inequality and partnerships needed to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
Connor’s presence in the meeting also continues St. Maarten’s participation in Kingdom-level discussions with the UN Secretary-General on issues affecting small islands. In September 2025, Guterres met with Kingdom representatives including St. Maarten Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, with climate change and its impact on Small Island Developing States among the matters discussed.
The latest meeting provided another opportunity for St. Maarten to be represented directly in discussions connecting climate resilience and sustainable development with wider international issues affecting the Kingdom and the Caribbean region.
