NEW YORK — Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), the Honorable Claret Connor, today delivered remarks during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Global Compact High-Level Forum on the Coalition for Sustainable Procurement.
Minister Connor is attending the high-level engagements on behalf of the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina, who was originally scheduled to attend but was unable to do so due to pressing matters requiring his continued attention locally.
Addressing ministers, heads of delegation, United Nations representatives, development partners and private-sector leaders, Minister Connor emphasized that sustainable procurement must be viewed as a powerful instrument for development, particularly for small island states such as Sint Maarten.
“Procurement is not simply an administrative tool; it is a development tool,” Minister Connor stated. “It is one of the principal means through which governments convert public resources into meaningful and measurable outcomes for the people we serve.”
A central feature of the morning’s programme was the official launch of the Sustainable Procurement Implementation Framework. The Framework was presented as a global public good for endorsement by governments and as a practical mechanism to help companies embed sustainability into their procurement decisions and operations.
On behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, as part of the delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Minister Connor commended the UN Global Compact and its partners for launching the Coalition for Sustainable Procurement. He also welcomed the official launch of the Sustainable Procurement Implementation Framework, noting that it can provide practical guidance to governments seeking to maximize the impact of public resources and development assistance.
“Every procurement dollar spent represents an opportunity—an opportunity to deliver better services, strengthen our economy, build institutional capacity, enhance resilience and advance sustainable development,” the Minister said. “We must consider not only what we purchase and at what cost, but also the economic, social, environmental and institutional value that our purchasing decisions can create.”
The programme also featured private-sector presentations and recommendations from Coalition member companies, including Schneider Electric, Outokumpu, Intrepid Travel, BBVA and Renew. Their contributions focused on policy measures and public-sector support needed to advance sustainable procurement throughout the private sector.
High-level deliberations brought together public- and private-sector decision-makers to examine critical sustainable procurement challenges, identify partnership opportunities and advance practical solutions that use procurement to support the objectives of the Pact for the Future.
Minister Connor highlighted the direct connection between sustainable procurement and good governance. He noted that effective frameworks can strengthen how governments plan, purchase, contract and monitor public expenditure while promoting transparency, accountability, fairness, efficiency and effective oversight.
“These principles are especially important for small island economies, where resources are limited, vulnerabilities are significant and every public investment must deliver the greatest possible value,” he stated.
The Minister also drew attention to Sint Maarten’s unique circumstances as one island shared by Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin, two territories with different constitutional structures existing harmoniously alongside one another. Despite these differences, both sides face similar challenges as small, open economies that depend heavily on imports and remain vulnerable to external shocks and severe tropical weather.
At the same time, Minister Connor pointed to Sint Maarten’s strategic geographical position at the heart of air and maritime connectivity in the northeastern Caribbean. He noted that the country serves as an important hub for neighboring islands, including Anguilla, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the British Virgin Islands.
According to the Minister, this position creates opportunities for stronger regional partnerships, supplier diversification, reduced costs and increased resilience. Achieving these outcomes, however, will require inclusive and robust procurement practices that properly consider the specific realities of small island states.
“In closing, let us view sustainable procurement not simply as a change in how governments buy, but as a transformation in how governments deliver development,” Minister Connor said. “For Sint Maarten and small island economies more broadly, this is not merely an ambition it is a practical necessity.”
Minister Connor concluded by calling upon governments and development partners to make procurement decisions wisely, transparently and purposefully, ensuring that every public investment contributes to stronger institutions, more resilient communities and a sustainable future for present and future generations.
