On Friday, December 5, 2025, the Conseil Economique Social et Culturel (CESC) of Saint Martin welcomed, for the first time, a delegation from the Social Economic Council of Sint Maarten (SER).
Composed by the president of SER Sint Maarten, Mr. Harlec Doran, members of the Board of Directors and a SER Policy Adviser, Mrs. J. Mourillon the delegation met with the President of the CESC, Ms. Ida ZIN-KA-IEU, and several members of the Council for an introductory exchange aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two advisory bodies on the island.
This first meeting allowed us to present the missions, role and operational frameworks of the two institutions, compare their respective structures and address common socio-economic issues on the island.
As part of this session, the CESC organized a dedicated workshop, inspired by its CESC Open Air initiative, the findings of which were publicly presented at a meeting on 21 November 2025.
Members of the SER delegation actively participated in exchanges on three key themes identified as priorities on both sides of the island:
- Live with dignity from your work
- Solidarity and civil society
- Peace in the world
“The contributions collected during this workshop will be integrated into the local report that the CESC will publish in January 2026, enriching the collective reflection of binational perspectives.”This first meeting marks an important milestone for both of our institutions. By sharing our experiences and visions, we pave the way for sustainable cooperation that will benefit our entire island. The challenges we face are common, and it is together that we will be most effective in overcoming them”. President, Ida ZIN-KA-IEU
“This historic meeting between the SER and the CESC Saint-Martin constitutes a crucial first step in the formalization of cross-border cooperation.” By focusing on common priorities such as employment stability and civil society solidarity, we have established a strong foundation to address common challenges together and improve the socio-economic future of Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten” Chairman, Harlec Doran
The two institutions expressed their commitment to building a structured and sustainable framework of cooperation. Discussions focused on the possibility of organizing regular bilateral meetings, sharing expertise and exploring common initiatives on topics of common interest to Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten.
