Discussions focused on disaster emergency management activities in the region, the Regional Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and the collaboration necessary for its continued advancement; and possible opportunities for short-term collaboration on risk management initiatives.
Governor Holiday applauded the Comprehensive Disaster Management approach of the CARICOM States and remarked on opportunities for comparing mechanisms with Sint Maarten.
He said, “As we continue to work towards the application of best practices reaching out to, exchanging ideas with and participating in regional fora, given that we share the same regional space with and common challenges as our Caribbean sister nations, it is important to build on CDEMA’s and Sint Maarten’s mutual experiences and strengths”.
“Strategically we must move to further anchor disaster management in our overall long term planning through its integration into the sustainable development agenda of our countries.” he added.
Dr. Elvis Nurse, Director of the Resource Mobilisation and Administration Division at CDEMA, thanked the Governor and Ambassador for visiting the regional headquarters whilst on mission in Barbados. He said, “We are looking for niche areas and more partners to strengthen our risk management approach in the Caribbean. This meeting represents the beginning of a relationship that will be extremely beneficial to both the CDEMA States and the Dutch speaking Caribbean.”
The visiting delegation also included the Governor's Aide de Camp, Mr. Bastiaan Bolt, the Governor's Director of the Cabinet, Mr. Andre Hoeneveld and the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Anthony A. Gittens.