A significant initiative to safeguard the Amazon rainforest has been launched by Silvania a carbon markets investor backed by Mercuria In collaboration with Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy, Silvania aims to raise an initial $1.5 billion.  dubbed “Race to Belém,” will focus on collaborating with Brazilian states and local communities to generate carbon credits linked to rainforest preservation.  The “Race to Belém” initiative named after the Brazilian city hosting the upcoming COP30 climate conference represents a pioneering effort by Silvania a dedicated $500 million investment vehicle focused on nature and biodiversity conservation This initiative comes at a critical juncture Record-breaking global temperatures in the past year have pushed the Amazon closer to a tipping point threatening to transform it into a net carbon emitter This alarming trend poses a significant challenge to the global goal of limiting global warming Silvania has pledged to provide upfront capital to states for every ton of carbon credits purchased The specific price per ton will be determined through negotiations with potential buyers with the potential to generate hundreds of millions of tons of carbon savings Project deployment will commence immediately with subsequent phases implemented over the next three to five years Relevant: Amazon Joins Hands With Partners For $180M Carbon Credits Deal In Brazil The carbon credits generated under this initiative will be categorized as Jurisdictional Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (JREDD+) credits.  which are overseen by individual project developers JREDD+ projects assess a much larger baseline reference area facilitating more effective environmental and social impact tracking highlighted the transformative potential of these credits in reversing the economic drivers of deforestation.  “This will be a seismic year for the future of the Amazon We have a chance to look back on the trajectory of Amazonian protection in two distinct eras: pre- and post-COP30,” Sanjayan said Read more: Investors Back $225M World Bank Bond For Amazon Reforestation And Carbon Removal The page you are looking for does not exist About Us Become a Contributor Newsletter Contact Us Advertise With Us Promote An Event Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookies Copyright Add this web page on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page WILLEMSTAD – Javier Silvania has emerged as the biggest vote-getter in last Friday’s parliamentary elections The MFK’s number two candidate outperformed party leader and former Prime Minister Gilmar ‘Pik’ Pisas The Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) won the elections by a landslide which accounts for more than 55% of the over 75,000 eligible voters who cast their ballots.  The party’s third most popular candidate A pre-election poll conducted by the Curaçao Knowledge Center and UDC had already identified Silvania and Cooper as the island’s most favored politicians.  MFK’s 13-seat win grants it an absolute majority in Curaçao’s 21-member parliament meaning the next cabinet is expected to be formed solely by MFK ministers This also increases the likelihood that lower-ranking candidates on the party’s list may secure parliamentary seats.  three other parties managed to secure representation in the Staten (Parliament):  The party’s elected members include:  Gwendell Mercelina and Elvin Gerard will be departing from the parliament.  Ana Maria Pauletta and Steven Croes will be stepping down.  MAN-PIN also secured enough votes for representation The party’s delegation will be led by:  Former Prime Minister Suzy Römer  Potential Changes in Parliament Composition  Although the names of the elected members are now known elected candidates have the freedom to accept or decline their seats which could lead to shifts in the final composition of the Staten.  the party now has a clear mandate to lead Curaçao without the need for coalition partners The coming weeks will determine how the new government takes shape and how the party plans to govern with its newfound political dominance The legend of gold and glory continues in Midas Golden Touch 3 The bill had been tabled in parliament for discussion on Monday, as reported by NEXT.io last week The passage of the bill marks the completion of a process that began in 2022, when the Dutch government tied Covid relief to several legal reforms including a requirement for the island to clean up its gambling sector It is unclear when exactly the bill was passed by legislators. A parliamentary stream debating the bill ends with an announcement there would be a two-hour break where the finance minister could answer any questions Sources also told NEXT.io that when local newspaper Antilliaans Dagblad went to print at 8pm last night the news would mark the biggest shake-up to the island’s online gambling regulations in decades with the stated aim of improving oversight and boosting the jurisdiction’s reputation Curaçao had become one of the world’s largest offshore gaming jurisdictions with tens of thousands of global operators licensed by the island’s gaming regulator the old regime featured a two-tiered system in which the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) directly regulated only four historic master licence holders These companies then contracted out the permits to other companies which in practice faced less stringent oversight than the law implied The stated goal of the LOK was to replace this with a more traditional set-up involving a revamped regulator responsible for directly overseeing online gambling licences Some have questioned how successfully the LOK achieves these goals with its critics claiming significant gaps remain in the regulation The bill’s passage also comes in the wake of a licensing scandal that has erupted on the island following the ministry’s decision to begin issuing new gambling licences ahead of the bill’s passage This was driven by sensational allegations made by opposition politician and forensic financial investigator Drs in two complaints submitted to the Public Prosecutors Office Minister of finance Javier Silvania yesterday (17 December) hit back at Faneyte He said: ‘Faneyte’s accusations have no basis It is the right of every citizen to report criminal offences to the Public Prosecution Service The Public Prosecution Service must be given time to investigate this But this institute did not even get that space before Faneyte came out with a second report he goes to the international press with it where he pretends it is the truth the international press cannot help you with your reports WILLEMSTAD – Member of Parliament Giselle McWilliam (MAN) has criticized Minister of Finance and Public Health Javier Silvania for his evasive approach in responding to parliamentary oversight McWilliam had raised questions regarding transparency in financial management but she claims Silvania dodged the issues and instead launched a political attack rather than providing substantive answers.  Silvania deflected from the core issue by criticizing her and the previous government (2017-2021) She stressed that parliament has a duty to hold ministers accountable for financial policies “Parliament has the right to ask questions and ministers have the duty to provide accurate and substantive answers,” McWilliam stated.  Silvania Accuses McWilliam of Political Games  who is running as the number two candidate on the MFK party’s list for the upcoming March 21 elections reacted strongly to McWilliam’s questions He argued that his administration is implementing sustainable financial policies and repairing the damage caused by the previous government He also presented figures claiming that the Pisas cabinet has increased funding for social institutions and public funds since 2022.  McWilliam Challenges Silvania’s Claims  McWilliam disputed Silvania’s claims pointing out that the minister failed to uphold Parliament’s budgetary oversight rights and did not provide full transparency on government spending She also criticized the reallocation of budget surpluses without prior parliamentary approval arguing that this undermined the legislature’s authority.  the situation highlights the importance of parliamentary oversight and the need for ministers to manage public funds transparently and responsibly but a fundamental issue of good governance and respect for democratic principles,” she concluded WILLEMSTAD - An official investigation is being conducted under the authority of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) into what has become known as the “tax forgiveness affair,” involving Minister of Finance Javier Silvania as noted in a ruling by the Joint Court of Justice.  The controversy centers on allegations that Minister Silvania instructed the government’s tax collector to halt the collection of all established and pending tax assessments from 2017 and prior that this matter was already under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and any points raised in a related complaint would be included in the inquiry.  The Role of Fundashon Dos Bui pa Kòrsou  The case was brought to public attention by Fundashon Dos Bui pa Kòrsou The organization is chaired by activist Yves Cooper with former Governor and interim Prime Minister Stanley Betrian serving as its formal advisor While the court has dismissed the foundation’s complaint on procedural grounds due to insufficient direct interest the continuation of the judicial investigation into Minister Silvania’s actions is seen as a significant development.  The tax forgiveness controversy has sparked intense debate within both Curaçao’s political landscape and broader society A Central Committee meeting of Parliament on this issue ended abruptly and only resumed in August this year This session ultimately led to the collapse of the ruling coalition between the MFK and PNP parties The PNP’s critical questioning of Silvania’s actions including whether they could potentially constitute criminal behavior was viewed by MFK as the final straw.  the government of Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has maintained power now supported by three independent MPs: Zita Jesus-Leito (formerly PAR) whose seat is currently held by Anthony Godett following Martines’s arrest and detention.  The court ruling does not disclose the current status of the OM’s investigation into Minister Silvania with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder as the findings of the judicial investigation could have significant political and legal implications for the island WILLEMSTAD – Outgoing Minister Javier Silvania of the MFK party has openly expressed his support for party leader and outgoing Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas In an interview with Radio Hoyer on Monday Silvania made it clear that he has no ambition to take over the role of prime minister and intends to continue in his current ministerial positions—Finance and Public Health Silvania’s remarks come in response to speculation that arose after he secured significantly more votes than Pisas in last Friday’s elections This outcome fueled rumors that Silvania might seek the position of prime minister describing himself as a loyal and grateful supporter of Pisas He emphasized that Pisas has always backed him and he remains committed to standing by his leader.  Silvania acknowledged that he has faced multiple personal attacks over the past four years He stated that his loyalty is driven by gratitude and that he has personally supported all candidates within MFK thanking them for their dedication to the party He reiterated that his focus remains on serving the people and continuing his current work as a minister.  MFK’s electoral success was primarily due to the party’s ability to convince the public of its vision He stressed that winning votes is central to politics and that good governance requires implementing policies that benefit society He concluded by stating that holding ministerial or parliamentary positions is ultimately about serving the community WILLEMSTAD – Finance Minister Javier Silvania has hailed the introduction of the new joint currency "This is not just a technical replacement of banknotes but a new chapter in our monetary history," Silvania stated during the launch ceremony.  the new currency underscores the bond between Curaçao and Sint Maarten and reflects confidence in their shared future within the monetary union.  Silvania expressed special gratitude to the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) for leading the transition process He praised the team that worked for years on preparations—from designing and producing the banknotes to adapting ATMs and running a public awareness campaign.  The banknotes feature advanced anti-counterfeiting technology to reduce fraud risks and strengthen trust in the financial system "A national currency speaks volumes about a country’s identity and autonomy," he noted.  He called the joint rollout by both nations particularly significant: "At a time when global cooperation is under strain it is commendable that our countries have taken this step together."  The minister assured that the transition carries no financial consequences—the Caribbean guilder’s value remains 1:1 with the former Netherlands Antillean guilder he warned businesses against exploiting the change to raise prices and urged the Ministry of Economic Development and consumer groups to monitor the process closely.  Silvania also called on the CBCS to use this milestone to promote financial education ensuring the public understands the new currency’s features and benefits.  he declared: "The Caribbean guilder is more than just a means of payment—it is a promise of stability The new banknotes will circulate alongside existing ones until a full phase-out is completed WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Finance Javier Silvania has provided a detailed response to questions posed by Giselle Mc William regarding subsidies granted by the minister in recent months.  Silvania expressed surprise at Mc William’s sudden concerns over the issue pointing out that the government coalition of MAN and PIN between 2017 and 2021 "systematically failed to implement responsible financial policies." He referred to Mc William’s concerns as "so-called worries," suggesting that they were more of a political attack than a genuine concern for the welfare of the people.  Mc William had raised questions about several subsidies approved by Silvania She emphasized the importance of the Staten's budgetary rights and argued that the government was bypassing these rights with its recent actions.  Silvania’s response highlighted the political nature of Mc William's concerns while defending the government's decisions The exchange has sparked a renewed debate over transparency and financial accountability in the current administration WILLEMSTAD – Finance Minister Javier Silvania is facing heavy criticism over alleged irregularities in the issuance and renewal of gambling licenses Journalist Nardy Cramm has openly questioned both the minister's authority and that of the Gaming Control Board (GCB) arguing that their actions lack a legal basis which could seriously damage Curaçao’s reputation.  Cramm specifically challenges the validity of the sublicense held by Cbet.gg She demands proof that the 365/JAZ master license she calls for evidence that this license grants oversight powers over sublicense holders like AK Global and asks whether this information has been published in official government records.  Questions Over the Minister’s Authority  Cramm questions the overall authority of the minister and the GCB in granting and revoking gambling licenses According to the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Chance (LBH) she argues that only the Governor holds this authority She insists that Silvania must present official documentation proving that a legal decision was ever made to delegate this power she claims the minister’s authority is invalid.  Cramm also highlights a lack of transparency regarding legal opinions that supposedly justify the minister’s and the GCB’s powers She specifically asks why critical legal advice—such as the WJZ opinion from March 13 failure to release these documents would render the minister’s and GCB’s claims of authority legally unfounded.  This is not the first time Cramm has demanded this documentation the minister and the gambling sector have dodged the issue—leading her to suspect that the requested documents do not exist.  Crisis Sparked by AK Global Bankruptcy  The renewed scrutiny over gambling licenses comes after the recent bankruptcy of AK Global The collapse of this gambling company has drawn international attention and raised serious concerns about Curaçao’s gambling sector Critics argue that the lack of transparency and regulation has put the country’s reputation at risk.  Cramm believes the AK Global case is symptomatic of deeper problems within the industry particularly the absence of regulatory oversight She warns that if the minister fails to provide answers the gambling licenses issued by the government should be considered “fake licenses”—a revelation that could undermine trust in Curaçao’s government and damage its international credibility as a gambling jurisdiction.  Minister Javier Silvania has dismissed the allegations calling them “fake news” in an interview with the local Dutch newspaper Antilliaans Dagblad He maintains that AK Global never received a license from the GCB and never applied for one he acknowledges that for the past 30 years Curaçao’s gambling industry lacked proper regulation.  Silvania claims that significant reforms have been implemented under his leadership to improve oversight He insists that new legislation will prevent future issues and strengthen Curaçao’s gaming sector The minister also urged critics to stop spreading negativity arguing that baseless accusations harm Curaçao’s international reputation.  Cramm has given Minister Silvania until tomorrow to present the requested documents she argues that the media should report that the government-issued gambling licenses may be illegal and that the government itself is spreading false information WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Finance Javier Silvania has filed a formal complaint with the Regulatory Authority following a recent broadcast on TV Direct the broadcast contained "offensive language Silvania submitted the complaint before the television station issued an apology The broadcast in question featured an interview with politician Elvis de Andrade who reportedly used derogatory language and made accusations about the minister's performance and responsibilities Silvania emphasized that while the offensive term was not fully articulated the intent to defame his reputation was clear.  "Although the derogatory term was not fully spoken the intention was clearly offensive and aimed at discrediting the minister’s reputation The combination of offensive language and unfounded allegations represents a serious violation of professional standards for news broadcasting."  Minister Silvania has formally requested that the Regulatory Authority implement clear quality standards and conduct guidelines for the media to prevent similar incidents in the future He also expects the Regulatory Authority to take appropriate action against TV Direct the morning Dutch newspaper published an article that included the risk matrix prepared by the Ministry of Finance it is crucial to place it in the correct context and to have or request the necessary additional information there is a significant risk of drawing incorrect conclusions the risk matrix prepared by the Ministry of Finance was not placed in the right context and was therefore misinterpreted by the newspaper Minister Javier Silvania regrets that the political party MAN/PIN has used this incorrect reporting to portray both Pisas and Silvania in a negative light.  The refinery was closed during the previous government’s tenure resulting in severe financial consequences for the national budget such as an 8% reduction in the refinery’s direct added value to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the loss of approximately 4,000 direct and indirect jobs the workforce at CRU was reduced to 240 employees meaning that if the refinery were to fully restart it would not have the necessary labor capacity These negative consequences were included in the risk matrix.  The underlying assumption in the risk matrix is that a full restart of the refinery (as it existed before its closure under the previous government) is unlikely to happen in the short term This is why the past negative effects of the refinery’s closure were included in the risk matrix—these effects have already been accounted for in the national budget since the refinery’s closure.  If the probability of “no reopening” were related to 2Bays' current plans it would be incorrect and unreasonable to include the past negative consequences of the refinery’s full closure in the risk matrix and link them to 2Bays’ plans This is because all negative consequences of the refinery’s closure have already materialized and have been accounted for in the national budget a gradual reopening of the refinery mainly serves to mitigate the financial losses that occurred in the past it would not create additional negative consequences that still need to be reflected in the national budget (and thus does not represent an additional risk that should be included in the risk matrix).  Nowhere in the risk matrix does it indicate that it is likely that the current plans for a gradual reopening of the refinery will not materialize these plans are actually intended as mitigating measures to reduce the negative consequences that occurred in the past.  when analyzing and identifying potential risks the risk being assessed is not whether the current mitigating plans for a phased refinery reopening will materialize Any form of refinery reopening (restart) would bring financial benefits to the national budget provided that environmental regulations are met—this last point being one of the key principles of the current plans WILLEMSTAD - Minister Javier Silvania of Health alongside representatives from Totolika and the SGR group revealed an announcement board yesterday for the construction of a new complex for people with intellectual disabilities The facility will be located in Noord-Zapateer and will be built on a plot of more than 7,500 square meters where individuals with intellectual disabilities will be able to live independently under supervision.  The future residents will have the opportunity to live as independently as possible A recreational room will also be built on the complex The unveiling of the announcement board marks the beginning of a new phase as the construction is set to begin shortly after receiving an updated building permit A recent video has sparked controversy involving Finance Minister Silvania during an event at the waste management company Selikor The footage shows Silvania in an unusual and informal exchange with the director of Selikor raising questions about his professionalism.  recorded on speakerphone and later made public reveals Silvania engaging in an unprofessional and inappropriate discussion particularly in relation to the use of public funds Rather than addressing the matter with formal communication Silvania’s approach has been criticized for its casual tone.  Silvania touches on the topic of tax exemptions suggesting to the people of Curaçao that they could receive free sushi at the expense of taxpayer money This claim not only misleads the public but also misrepresents the intended use of public funds which should never be directed toward personal benefits.  What’s more troubling is that the minister appears to have a pattern of questionable conduct Silvania implies that public funds could be used to pay for the sushi raising serious ethical and legal concerns Such actions could be subject to legal repercussions and further erode public confidence in his leadership.  highlighting deeper issues of transparency and accountability in managing public resources The fallout from this controversy remains uncertain but it raises urgent questions about how Curaçao's leadership will address these recurring issues moving forward WILLEMSTAD – The opposition party MAN is demanding clarification from Finance Minister Javier Silvania regarding non-budgeted subsidies allocated for 2024 and 2025 MAN’s faction leader Giselle Mc William raised concerns about the distribution and justification of these financial contributions.  Mc William emphasized the parliament’s budgetary oversight responsibilities and called for a detailed list of all entities that have received subsidies including the amounts granted to each organization the opposition is requesting transparency on the criteria used for granting subsidies and how the effectiveness and efficiency of the allocated funds are being assessed.  MAN is also seeking confirmation on whether advisory opinions were obtained before granting the subsidies and has requested copies of any relevant recommendations the party is demanding a comprehensive overview of the total expenditures and wants to know when the government plans to implement potential budgetary adjustments.  Minister Silvania has not publicly responded to MAN’s inquiries WILLEMSTAD - Member of Parliament Sheldry Osepa has filed a complaint with the National Detective Agency against Minister Javier Silvania The complaint follows a Facebook post by Silvania in which he accused Osepa of leaking confidential information about social welfare recipients to Parliament.  claiming that Silvania is guilty of defamation He stressed that the issue involves the privacy of more than five thousand citizens and that he is standing up for their rights Osepa accuses the minister of failing to take responsibility for the leak and instead attempting to cover up the issue by blaming him.  Osepa asserts that Silvania himself ordered the data to be sent to Parliament making the minister responsible for the leak of sensitive personal information He is calling for a thorough investigation into how this situation occurred WILLEMSTAD – In a dramatic turn of events the Pisas Cabinet swiftly removed the chains from Pòst 5 its own Minister of Finance revealed a grim outlook regarding activities at the refinery site—no crude oil and no clear timeline for Oryx to begin blending a process that was previously denied to Curaçao’s own Curoil MANPIN is questioning whether a functioning government still exists or if each minister is operating independently.  The public wants to understand what the so-called reopening of Pòst 5 really means Minister Pisas responded with a flood of words ultimately admitting that he had denied Curoil the opportunity to conduct blending at the refinery he is asking Oryx to begin blending in a few years—without setting any deadlines or demanding investments in Emmastad in the meantime.  despite his party's 2021 promise to reopen the refinery as an environmentally friendly operation he has failed to present even a basic environmental law to make that possible.  it has now come to light that the Minister of Finance is so concerned about the refinery’s future that he has officially stated that there may never be any productive activity on the site again According to the local newspaper Antilliaans Dagblad this is a key finding in the Ministry of Finance’s latest risk analysis.  MANPIN is questioning why no warnings were issued about the risks surrounding the refinery while Pisas was making a grand show of removing the chains from Pòst 5 Is there any coordination among the members of the Pisas II government How many governments are operating within Forti—one under Pisas and another under the Minister of Finance Is the Minister of Finance being transparent with his projections and are his fellow ministers aware of the implications?  MANPIN believes someone in Forti must come forward and provide answers to these pressing questions.  An upcoming election does not exempt the government from its responsibility to govern properly Transparency regarding the people's assets is a fundamental requirement of good governance and the community deserves to know the truth WILLEMSTAD - PAR party leader Quincy Girigorie voiced concerns during a press conference about the unacceptable behavior of Finance Minister Javier Silvania of the MFK party Silvania provided the requested documents to opposition parties just hours before a parliamentary session on tax debt cancellation.  parliament member Giselle Mc William of the MAN-PIN party also criticized Silvania’s actions This criticism follows the parties' request to cancel Tuesday’s public meeting.  Girigorie claims that Silvania deliberately undermines parliamentary democracy by submitting documents at the last minute “Silvania uses documents that do not help us and tries to justify wrong actions,” said Girigorie.  Mc William added that Silvania provides complex documents in a short period of time “This shows that Silvania has no respect for parliament,” she stated.  Silvania expressed disappointment to local media about the cancellation of the session and defended his actions arguing that the involved parliamentarians should be able to process the information quickly Democracy means that the people govern themselves governed by laws that ensure fairness and justice Living in a democracy means that the people’s representatives ultimately have the final say respect for legal principles is paramount.  What happened during Monday’s parliamentary meeting was nothing short of a farce—a mockery of this esteemed body and a blatant disregard for our rule of law Finance Minister Javier Silvania’s actions crossed all boundaries of accountability and legality Not only did he fail to provide the advice and documentation related to his decisions which the PAR faction had requested over a year and a half ago but he also neglected to submit them entirely Silvania presented a handful of irrelevant documents to the clerk’s office for review.  This blatant disregard for Parliament’s request along with his submission of unrelated and late documents demonstrates his total lack of respect for the legislative body He has no regard for his obligation to provide essential information to Parliament his condescending attitude throughout the meeting only deepened the insult.  Rather than answering questions as any responsible official should—because he is an employee of the people of Curaçao—Mr Silvania chose to lecture the parliamentarians arrogantly as if they were incapable of understanding the issue at hand.  He suggested that the matter was too complex for us to grasp The issue is straightforward: without any legal basis (read: illegally) Silvania forgave 3 billion guilders in tax debts This is evident to everyone except the minister himself Silvania believe he knows better than the advisory body Or that he has more wisdom in his little finger than a judge in their entirety The rulings are clear: this was a tax debt write-off.  Silvania truly believes he is more knowledgeable than the people's representatives—and therefore the people of Curaçao—then why is it so obvious to everyone else that what he did was illegal Why did he need so many words to explain the inexplicable?  Silvania had a legal basis for his Facebook post which had far-reaching consequences for the country he wouldn’t be searching for one now responded on Wednesday to criticism of the Curaçao House Physicians Association (CHV) He stated that financial interests are the primary reason for the resistance against the House Physicians Post (HAP).  Silvania emphasized the need to set aside individual interests in favor of the common good that the HAP represents "It is essential to ensure a healthcare system that benefits everyone and meets the health needs of the community," he stated.  the CHV has been striving for higher salaries for years without success which he believes has led to frustration among some physicians he noted that several general practitioners have expressed satisfaction with the HAP.  Silvania highlighted that the HAP has brought significant improvements compared to previous structures ensuring healthcare availability outside of regular office hours Despite concerns from parliament members regarding the costs of the HAP for the government clarified that physicians previously received only one guilder per month per SVB-registered patient this amounted to 1.7 million guilders from the state treasury He asserted that the establishment of the HAP has relieved the government of this financial burden WILLEMSTAD – The ambulance service in Curaçao will soon be incorporated into the Ministry of Health The announcement was made by caretaker Minister Javier Silvania during the opening of the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Experts Network Conference held on the island.  The integration is part of a broader effort to improve emergency medical care across Curaçao the reform is not a simple administrative adjustment but a structural transformation aimed at saving lives By bringing the ambulance service under the direct responsibility of the ministry the government hopes to enhance coordination within the healthcare system and ensure faster Special emphasis will be placed on vulnerable groups Silvania stressed that integrating the ambulance foundation into the ministry will help create a smoother more cohesive healthcare chain and improve the alignment of emergency services with hospitals and other care providers.  An exact date for the integration has yet to be announced has agreed to the conditions for the next financial support to the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) One of the key points is the planned purchase of an MRI machine The cost of the MRI has already been included in the previously approved liquidity support of 25 million guilders meaning that a lack of liquidity should not be a reason to delay the purchase Silvania wants to be informed every two months about the progress of the implementation of efficiency measures If he is not fully and timely informed about the progress this may affect the disbursement of the next tranche of liquidity support The next report is scheduled for November 15.  The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has been facing serious financial problems for some time now One of the main causes is its negative equity The hospital's debt currently stands at 433 million guilders Contributing factors to these problems include higher costs for uninsured patients and significant capital expenses due to the construction of the hospital.  The government of Curaçao has responded by allocating an additional 253 million guilders in financing between 2025 and 2028 This funding is intended to relieve capital expenses and cover the care of uninsured patients a portion of the budget will be used to stabilize the hospital's operations 18 million guilders is reserved annually for capital expenses and 10 million guilders for uninsured care.  An important aspect of the solution is incorporating the CMC's losses into the national budget The College Financial Supervision (Cft) has repeatedly urged this The Curaçao government has now taken steps to explicitly include the financial risks of the hospital in the 2025 budget allowing for better management of these risks.  the government is trying to address the problem with a combination of additional funding and budget adjustments to compensate for the losses and ensure the quality of care.  The government will also add a monthly list of creditors to the updated liquidity forecasts of the CMC to be able to respond to any questions directly Following the CMC's agreement to the stipulated conditions the next tranche of five million guilders will be released.  The agreements were approved on October 22 by members of the board of directors including General Director Gilbert Martina Commercial Director Karina Lombardi-de Freitas Bras WILLEMSTAD - Finance Minister Javier Silvania of the MFK party firmly stated during a Central Committee meeting in Parliament on Monday that no tax forgiveness has been granted for companies with debts from before 2017.  resumed with a focus on the "forgiveness" of older tax debts "I have not forgiven a single cent of taxes for companies from 2017 or earlier The Receiver applies a restructuring policy for those years." He added that the government's priority is on collecting debts incurred from 2018 onward.  particularly MAN party member Giselle Mc William where he allegedly mentioned tax forgiveness Silvania reiterated that no debts had been written off emphasizing that the Receiver's office was following an adjusted collection policy for older tax debts.  When pressed for details on alleged large-scale tax forgiveness for certain companies referring instead to confidential documents available at the parliamentary registry He maintained that privacy concerns prevented the release of all information.  PNP parliamentarian Sheldry Osepa raised further questions Court of Justice ruling that addressed both tax exemptions for businesses and the accuracy of Silvania’s prior Facebook posts on the subject Osepa even suggested the possibility of misconduct by the minister but Silvania did not directly respond to the allegation.  Silvania also faced questions from Mc William regarding the alleged forgiveness of 16 million guilders in taxes to a company reportedly linked to the MFK party instead referring MPs to the documents available for review.  PAR faction leader Quincy Girigorie joined the debate questioning Silvania about three unnamed companies that had been ordered to settle their tax debts under the previous government contradicted Silvania's accusations that the former coalition had failed to take action on recovering millions in unpaid taxes.  Silvania posed a rhetorical question to Girigorie and fellow PAR MP Ana Maria Pauletta asking why they now expected him to recover these debts when the previous administration had not done so.  The debate grew more intense as opposition MPs criticized Silvania for submitting requested documents to Parliament only on the morning of the meeting Girigorie called on parliamentary chairperson Charetti America-Francisca to suspend the session for two hours to allow time for MPs to review the materials WILLEMSTAD - The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is reportedly conducting a judicial inquiry into the 'tax forgiveness scandal' centered around Minister of Finance Javier Silvania of the MFK party A closed-door hearing took place yesterday with the decision to continue the case in four weeks The OM has not released any details regarding the content of the session.  It is believed that the session dealt with a request from the Dos Bui pa Kòrsou Foundation The foundation is attempting to compel the OM to criminally prosecute Silvania through the Court of Justice This effort follows a complaint from April 2024 in which Dos Bui pa Kòrsou accuses the minister of issuing unlawful instructions to the Receiver of Curaçao resulting in the inability to collect tax assessments from 2017 and earlier.  The foundation alleges that the minister acted in violation of both constitutional and criminal law by announcing a policy change via social media Silvania posted on Facebook that old tax assessments The policy change was justified by the size of the collection backlog and a report from the OECD which suggested that the likelihood of successful tax collection diminishes significantly after two years.  the foundation argues that this reasoning is flawed and that the measures have caused substantial financial damage to Curaçao potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of guilders Dos Bui pa Kòrsou also fears that this policy sets a dangerous precedent allowing future ministers to forgive taxes at their discretion.  Due to the lack of response from the OM regarding the complaint Dos Bui pa Kòrsou has invoked the Article 15 procedure of the Code of Criminal Procedure which allows an interested party to file a formal complaint with the Court of Justice to force prosecution.  has reportedly initiated a fact-finding investigation following a recent report from the Social and Economic Council (SER) The SER concluded that there is no legal basis for the Minister of Finance to enact tax forgiveness in this manner.  The tax forgiveness scandal has also led to political tensions A Central Committee meeting on the issue was suspended for fifteen months and ultimately contributed to the breakup of the MFK/PNP governing coalition last month.  PNP parliamentarians raised critical questions about the legality of Silvania’s actions which the MFK faction deemed inappropriate The Pisas cabinet remains in power with the support of the one-member factions KEM and independent MP Zita Jesus-Leito.  in which a motion of censure or no-confidence against Silvania could be introduced has yet to be called by the MFK parliamentary chair.  The OM will decide whether to pursue criminal prosecution if the fact-finding investigation uncovers grounds for suspicion of criminal acts WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao’s Tax Collector is under fire for his role in the mounting backlog of unpaid taxes on the island The sharp criticism from Finance Minister Javier Silvania follows recent questions raised in the Dutch Parliament about the functioning of Curaçao’s tax authority Dutch MP Aukje de Vries (VVD) expressed concerns over the increasing backlog which surged from 2.6 billion guilders in January 2023 to 3.3 billion guilders by June 2024.  Silvania has demanded that Trona submit a comprehensive improvement plan by December 13 detailing measures to overhaul tax collection processes and address the ballooning arrears The minister called the situation “unacceptable,” highlighting that despite previous agreements to reduce tax arrears by 10% the backlog has instead increased by 10%.  Minister Silvania: Lack of Leadership and Accountability  Silvania accused Trona of a lack of leadership “Your absence from meetings with team leaders demonstrates a lack of responsibility,” Silvania wrote He further asserted that any progress within the tax department has been achieved in spite of Trona This criticism aligns with findings from earlier audits conducted by the Government Audit Bureau (Soab) which revealed serious shortcomings in the tax authority’s internal controls and collection processes Reports on promised improvements have yet to materialize Political Tensions Surrounding Trona’s Role  Trona’s position has long been a point of contention partly due to his political connections with the former coalition partner PNP With the recent shift in Curaçao’s political landscape Silvania appears to be taking decisive action to address these long-standing concerns.  Parliamentary Pressure and Broader Implications  The issue gained international attention when MP Aukje de Vries raised questions in the Dutch Parliament about the deteriorating tax situation on Curaçao She highlighted the alarming growth in tax arrears and questioned the effectiveness of measures to address the problem.  Silvania’s demand for immediate reform signals a turning point in efforts to overhaul the island’s tax administration all eyes will be on Trona to deliver a credible plan—or potentially face further consequences for his role in the escalating crisis.  has claimed a prominent position on the candidates' list of the Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) for the upcoming elections on March 21 In a surprising shift from his lower placement in the previous election directly following party leader and Prime Minister Gilmar ‘Pik’ Pisas.  MFK unveiled its full list of 29 candidates during a special event highlighted by musical performances the list begins with current ministers and Members of Parliament who holds the fourth position on the list.  The top six spots are dominated by the current ministers and Rigoletto Thodé appearing further down the lineup A carbon markets investor backed by Swiss-trading house Mercuria said on Wednesday it had joined with two non-profits to raise an initial $1.5-billion to help protect the Amazon a nod to the Brazilian city hosting the next round of global climate talks in November aims to sell credits tied to preserving the world’s biggest rainforest The initiative is the first major campaign by Silvania a $500-million nature and biodiversity investment vehicle working with Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy In an effort to avoid the criticism some previous projects have faced over their real-world impact the new plan will seek agreement from all levels of government and be carried out across a much larger area The move follows record high temperatures across the world last year that are pushing the Amazon closer to the point where it becomes a net emitter of carbon emissions making the world’s agreed goal of capping global warming even harder to reach President Trump pulled the world’s biggest economy out of the Paris accord and against a backdrop of weakening corporate commitments as governments move too slowly to enact policies which will help hit its goal Race to Belém Chief Executive Keith Tuffley said after launching the scheme in the Brazilian state of Tocantins that the hope was that other states would join and the initial $1.5-billion funding target this year would be surpassed “The consensus is that private sector engagement is now more critical than ever The urgency to address climate challenges has only increased and the Race to Belém highlights this by calling for transformative private investments,” Tuffley told Reuters from Davos Silvania said it would give a dollar in upfront capital to states for every ton in credits purchased The price per ton will be negotiated with potential buyers and could lead to hundreds of millions of tons of carbon savings with additional phases rolled out over three to five years Credits issued under the plan will be classed as a Jurisdictional Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Existing JREDD+ projects are up and running in countries including Guyana Because the baseline reference area being assessed under a JREDD+ project is much bigger it is easier to track the impact on the environment and local communities than in traditional REDD+ projects overseen by a project developer Conservation International Chief Executive M Sanjayan said in a statement that these credits offered a “generational opportunity to reverse the economic drivers of deforestation.” “This will be a seismic year for the future of the Amazon We have a chance to look back on the trajectory of Amazonian protection in two distinct eras: pre- and post-COP30,” he said Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions Parliamentarians from the PNP party (a coalition partner) have criticized Minister Silvania for his actions suggesting that he should resign due to his handling of public funds It is evident that MFK is standing by Minister Silvania in anticipation of the upcoming elections preferring to overlook his criminal actions How many times has Minister Silvania’s conduct been questionable How many times has he failed to address issues adequately and relations within the coalition are disastrous.  Is it preferable to sacrifice Curaçao’s well-being just to keep the minister in his position has announced that he will soon return to Parliament with a new proposal for tax relief He previously presented a controversial proposal to write off large but old debts.  The aim of this new proposal is to reward taxpayers who are making good progress with their payments even if they still have a small outstanding debt.  The Council of Ministers has approved the minister's proposal to introduce a tax relief plan The plan involves allocating an amount of 2,500 guilders to the debtor accounts of all taxpayers This amount can be used to offset debts up to a maximum of 2,500 guilders Data shows that nearly 44,000 people currently have a debt of less than 2,500 guilders The Tax Collector has already stopped actively pursuing small amounts they have ceased chasing an ABC Bus Company employee for a 1,000 guilder debt and no longer send reminders for a 100 guilder debt owed by someone serving coffee at Forti.  The minister emphasized that the tax relief is not only for those with outstanding debts the 2,500 guilders will remain available on their debtor account for two years This means that even taxpayers who have always paid on time can benefit from this arrangement.  The Council of Ministers has already approved this proposal and the minister hopes Parliament will support it once it is officially submitted WILLEMSTAD – The government of Curaçao and the Minister of Public Health have made it clear that they were not involved in the recent appointment of Johan de Graaf as the new CEO of the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) it was emphasized that both the government and Minister Silvania were informed of the appointment only through the media on February 4 The statement comes amid growing public concern and questions about the appointment where many have asked why the new CEO is not a local from Curaçao has distanced the government from the decision explaining that they cannot be held responsible for the choice made by the CMC's governing bodies.  the government highlighted the independence of the CMC's corporate governance structure which separates the roles and responsibilities of various entities within the organization One of the key points raised by Silvania is that while new commissioners of CMC Holding are appointed by the minister appointments to the CMC Board of Commissioners are made through co-optation meaning the sitting commissioners decide who will be added to the board.  although CMC Holding can suggest candidates for the board the CMC Board of Commissioners has the power to reject these suggestions He also stressed that the government has no influence over the appointment of the CEO or the composition of the board specifically using capitalized letters to emphasize the government’s lack of control over the matter.  The announcement of the new CEO comes at a time when tensions are rising within the local political landscape a political party in the coalition government has expressed strong opposition to the appointment of any European Dutch national to head government agencies “As a true child of the country of Curaçao I say from now on that we are completely against (with capital letters) the appointment of any European Dutchman as the director of any government agency.”  While Javier Silvania thanked the departing CEO for his service and wished the new appointee success it remains clear that the appointment of the new CMC CEO has sparked significant controversy Minister Silvania has expressed hope that Johan de Graaf will successfully continue to lead CMC reinforcing its position as a leading healthcare institution in the Caribbean region.  The issue highlights the ongoing debate in Curaçao regarding the appointment of local versus foreign professionals in leadership positions within public institutions especially as the country faces significant challenges in the healthcare sector WILLEMSTAD - The Social Economic Council (SER) has issued strong criticism of Finance Minister Javier Silvania stating that he granted tax exemptions without valid legal authorization.  the SER noted that current tax legislation including the collection ordinance submitted by Silvania to Parliament does not contain any provision that grants the Finance Minister the authority to provide tax exemptions This implies that Silvania overstepped his powers by issuing these exemptions.  The SER highlighted that Silvania did not follow the usual practice in Curaçao where a temporary tax relief measure is typically announced pending the implementation of a legal framework Silvania implemented tax reliefs without a legal basis also pointed out that tax measures can only be retroactively legalized if they have been announced in advance WJZ stated that it is not possible to later incorporate these measures into law The SER further argued that regulating tax measures through a separate temporary ordinance does not align with an integrated approach to the tax collection process the SER believes that such measures should be included in standard tax legislation to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of tax collection.  Silvania provided tax debt reductions to those who paid part of their debt and forgave all tax debts prior to 2017 He then submitted a bill to Parliament to legalize his decisions tax assessments that are at least five years old may be forgiven.  The SER also identified several shortcomings in the public announcements of the tax measures and the accompanying strategies The council emphasized the need to create broader support within the community for the tax authorities with transparent information about the effects of the tax measures.  is considered by the SER to be much larger than usual pertains to all tax assessments from 2017 and earlier.  these broad measures do not align with international practices the SER pointed out that the decision to withdraw the tax inspector's authority to impose assessments for the years 2017 and earlier This includes recently imposed assessments and payment arrangements based on them.  The SER calls for a reconsideration of these measures and advocates for a more transparent and legally grounded process for granting tax exemptions WILLEMSTAD – The ruling party MFK (Movementu Futuro Kòrsou) has secured a landslide victory in Curaçao’s elections This marks the first time in the country’s history that a single party has won an absolute majority Polling stations closed at 7:00 PM local time last night with a 69% voter turnout—a slight decrease from the 74% recorded in the 2021 elections.  the social-democratic MFK will govern independently breaking away from its previous coalition with PNP The party’s campaign focused on attracting foreign investments in tourism and logistics and improving primary healthcare by reducing wait times.  Pre-election polls already predicted a dominant victory for MFK largely driven by the popularity of Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas also played a key role in mobilizing voters with his bold and dynamic leadership style.  currently serving as Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Health was recently voted Curaçao’s most trusted politician His strong public presence and direct approach helped drive voter enthusiasm.  MFK now has full control over the government shaping the direction of Curaçao’s policies for the coming years WILLEMSTAD - The opposition party PAR has formally requested an urgent public meeting to address what they describe as the illegal actions of Finance Minister Javier Silvania in January 2023 actions which allegedly led to an unconditional tax exemption amounting to 3 billion florins.  In a letter to Parliament President Charetti America-Francisca based on court rulings and advice from state bodies it is evident that Minister Silvania’s actions resulting in tax forgiveness for a specific group of "non-taxpayers," were unlawful and favored this group inappropriately.  PAR highlighted that during the Central Committee meeting on May 11 2024—Minister Silvania failed to address questions regarding the legality of his actions he focused on the role of the tax collector and refused to provide Parliament with anonymized legal advice from his ministry that evaluated the legality of his decisions.  “It is clear that the minister made every effort to avoid discussing the legality of his actions and identifying who benefited from them during the meeting,” PAR stated.  The party referenced rulings by the Superior Court on August 10 and the advice from the Social Economic Council (SER) on June 19 strongly suggest that Minister Silvania acted unlawfully They argue that Parliament must urgently convene to gain clarity and take a formal position on the minister's actions.  PAR is invoking Article 64 of the Rules of Procedure which allows them to request an urgent public meeting to discuss this critical issue with Minister Silvania.  PAR has also requested the presence of tax collector Alfonso Trona at the meeting to ensure that all relevant questions can be addressed directly WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has announced temporary changes to the staffing of ministries left without ministers following the PNP's departure from the coalition This means additional responsibilities for Javier Silvania who is already in charge of the Ministries of Finance he will also be responsible for Social Development and Welfare (SOAW) until a new minister is appointed from the KEM party.  will temporarily oversee the Ministry of Economic Development until Zita Jesus-Leito's representative is appointed to the role.  will take responsibility for the time being KEM and Jesus-Leito have agreed to support the cabinet after PNP’s departure in exchange for nominating a minister WILLEMSTAD - Finance Minister Javier Silvania has stated that no write-off has been granted for old tax debts from 2017 and prior The tax authority is concentrating on collecting debts that are no more than five years old to keep tax collection up-to-date.  The minister’s statement is in response to questions from opposition and coalition partners seeking clarification on reports suggesting that Silvania had previously discussed a possible write-off of old tax debts amounting to approximately three billion guilders.  Silvania emphasizes that the current policy focuses on collecting tax debts from 2018 onwards with a restructuring policy in place for earlier years which involves no active collection.  Silvania notes that the poor tax collection policies of previous governments led to his approach which aims to improve the current situation he remains committed to his policy and assures that the current collection method is designed to maximize tax revenue without creating unnecessary backlogs WILLEMSTAD - Finance Minister Javier Silvania (MFK) will not have to provide an explanation to Parliament on Tuesday regarding the 3 billion guilder tax waiver Opposition parties PAR and MAN-PIN have requested the cancellation of the meeting.  Concerns persist about possible favoritism towards certain companies which has sparked significant discussion on social media and within the community The opposition initially called for a meeting to address these concerns but withdrew the request after receiving the necessary documents for the meeting only at 6:00 PM on Monday.  PAR and MAN-PIN have accused Silvania of strategically delaying the delivery of documents The parties stated that the late arrival of these documents left them insufficient time to prepare and thus asked Parliament Chairwoman Charetti America-Francisca (MFK) to cancel the meeting.  Many people are questioning the role played by the Ministry of Finance and its staff in the tax waiver the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) has faced criticism for reportedly not launching an investigation into the matter WILLEMSTAD - According to Minister of Finance Javier Silvania thousands of applications for online gaming licenses have been received Silvania shared this update during the discussion of the 2024 budget in the Parliament.  The Gaming Control Board (GCB) is confident that more applications will follow and estimates that 600 licenses will be granted by the end of the first quarter of 2025.  The revenue from online gaming in 2024 is currently based on the existing legislation the "Landsverordening buitengaatse hazardspelen" (National Ordinance on Offshore Gambling) Once the "Landsverordening op de kansspelen" (LOK) is approved by Parliament a projected 40 million guilders will be included in the 2025 budget Silvania explained that the current budget allocates 30 million guilders for online gaming and 10 million guilders for land-based casinos.  The 220 licenses granted thus far are based on the existing laws with 15 million guilders in fees already invoiced The government has received 12 million guilders of this amount “These payments reflect the number of months for which the licenses have been granted these 220 licenses will generate much more revenue in 2025 on an annual basis than the 12 million guilders received so far,” stated Silvania.  there are 553 pending license applications with the GCB and 279 new applications are awaiting processing The government expects even more applications under the LOK as this new law provides greater security and strengthens Curaçao’s reputation as a jurisdiction for online gaming.  the country will meet the projected revenue of 30 million guilders in line with the advice from the Council of Advice,” Silvania concluded Energy and commodity group Mercuria has announced it will be entering the climate investment space The group will be launching a nature-based investment platform called Silvania with a capital commitment $500 million from its own resources and partners Investment made through the platform are planned to have specific regional focuses: In North America investments will be aimed at carbon sequestration and peatland projects; Latin America will see funds for reforestation and mangrove restoration; Africa and Asia’s preferred projects will be for reducing agricultural methane emissions while Australia and New Zealand will primarily have forest conservation and restoration projects Relevant: StoneX And AirCarbon Exchange To Create U.S. Digital Carbon Marketplace “Launching Silvania is consistent with Mercuria’s purpose to connect markets and advance the energy transition and its ambition to help the world achieve Net Zero,” said Marco Dunand “Silvania will bring local environmental and social benefits through its projects whilst also delivering positive global climate change impacts and biodiversity benefits overall.” Project selection and execution will benefit from the experienced Mercuria Environmental Products team who have accumulated experience with climate and low-carbon investments from over 15 countries The investments are expected to generate high-quality carbon credits that can then by used by companies for their compliance needs as well as providing supply to voluntary carbon markets Read more: Carbon Market Exchange Announces $100M Offering In Carbon Offsets Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times WILLEMSTAD - Finance Minister Javier Silvania asserted that he has done nothing wrong regarding the forgiveness of three billion guilders in tax debts which pertain to assessments from 2017 and earlier During a marathon meeting in parliament yesterday he stated that there is no law prohibiting the Receiver from offering discounts on tax debts.  Steven Martina from the MAN party acknowledged that while the intent behind the policy may be good is convinced that Silvania may have acted unlawfully.  Faction leaders Quincy Girigorie (PAR) and Sheldry Osepa (PNP) focused their remarks on an analysis conducted by the Dutch law firm De Roos en Pen regarding the cleanup of the Receiver's collection files This firm was commissioned by Silvania to conduct the investigation and subsequently provided a report that the minister distributed to the members of parliament before the meeting commenced.  it appears that the Finance Minister did not provide all relevant information to the Dutch law firm They argue that this omission results in a distorted view presented in the report Curaçao’s only entomologist and head of the Infectious Disease Control Department (IZB) has been prohibited from giving interviews about the dengue outbreak in areas such as Zakitó This decision was made by the Minister of Health emphasized that Seferina requires permission as a government official to speak to the press.  The decision follows a series of interviews Seferina gave in recent weeks it is not strategically appropriate for her to address the media as her statements could be linked to her position within the government the minister cited potential negative effects on a counseling program Seferina is currently undergoing.  Seferina has been part of a program during which her access to government buildings has already been restricted she recently spoke to the press and scheduled additional interviews The ministry has now demanded that she cancel these engagements.  “This decision is in her best interest and that of the process,” stated Melfor The ministry stressed that the measure was taken to avoid further complicating Seferina’s situation and her role within the government.  This is not the first time Seferina has been silenced the ministry reprimanded her after she revealed that the dengue outbreak had resulted in three fatalities the ministry aimed to suppress this information to prevent negative impacts on the island’s tourism industry WILLEMSTAD - The allowance of cryptocurrency in Curaçao is not only feasible but also necessary This was stated by Finance Minister Javier Silvania on Tuesday during the SiGMA Asia an online gaming conference in Manila.  "Ignoring them is essentially not an option," said the minister.  Silvania discussed the importance of regulation in the gaming industry "It's important to emphasize that overarching rules concerning anti-money laundering practices and player protection remain paramount We believe that cryptocurrency should be treated as another payment option for players despite the technical differences with other payment options."  Silvania underscored the importance of good legislation for a fair and stable market He said that well-thought-out regulations ensure that businesses act responsibly and the vulnerable are protected It is crucial to find a balance between high standards and not stifling businesses or encouraging unreliable behavior.  He further emphasized that regulations must keep pace with technological advancements especially in the realm of digital currencies and assets He said it is essential to integrate these innovations into our legislative frameworks Last month, iGaming NEXT reported that radical reform could mean the island’s licensed companies move elsewhere and that operators are already working on back-up plans should the Dutch-Caribbean island introduce new deposit thresholds and trigger player KYC procedures he also highlighted that the country is too far ahead in the process to take on the industry’s suggestion of a step-by-step regulatory reform iGaming NEXT: Could you please give us an overview of Curaçao as a gaming jurisdiction What’s the sector’s size and economic importance Javier Silvania: The online gaming sector in Curaçao is currently not properly regulated we should be cautious when trying to estimate the sector’s size Although most fees are currently being paid to the master licence holders it still creates job opportunities within the trust sector in Curaçao We are hoping to increase the economic importance of the online gaming sector in Curaçao by introducing legislation and proper supervision iGN: Could you kindly provide a brief update on the regulatory overhaul At what stage of the process are you and what elements are you currently working on JS: The national ordinance regulating (online) gaming has already been drafted as well as the corresponding national decree The law has been reviewed by the government’s legal department and their comments are currently being included in the legislation Curaçao finance minister Javier Silvania: “Crypto gambling is not yet included in the legislation and offering these services will not be possible with a Curaçao licence for the time being.” the Ministry of Finance is currently consulting Curaçao’s trust sector for their final comments on the content of the law the law will be going through the final phases of the legislative process with ultimately a voting in parliament iGN: Operators fear that Curaçao’s new gaming laws will introduce deposit thresholds and trigger player KYC procedures What comments would you like to make about Curaçao’s plans JS: We are currently working on AML/KYC procedures that fit within the industry which are also comparable with procedures that are usually applied in other countries iGN: How do you intend to regulate crypto gambling JS: Crypto gambling is not yet included in the legislation and offering these services will not be possible with a Curaçao licence for the time being iGN: What are the greatest challenges that you are facing in developing the new framework JS: The greatest challenge is certainly finding the perfect balance between the needs of the government and the regulators iGN: What details can you share about the timeline for the roll-out of the new regulations JS: We are currently aiming to pass the national ordinance and the national decree in March 2023 this depends on several factors that are not within our control we cannot guarantee that the legislation will enter into force in March 2023 iGN: Some operators commented that they would prefer a step-by-step regulatory reform rather than a massive overnight overhaul How do you feel about taking onboard suggestions such as these JS: We are already very far with the process and it is no longer possible to apply that approach we have included a transition period in the national ordinance for operators who are currently providing online gaming services with a Curaçao licence iGN: What final message would you like to share with the international iGaming community about Curaçao and its new gambling regulatory framework JS: Curaçao is working hard on the regulatory framework as well as the new supervisory body Soon Curaçao will have proper legislation and supervision as well as player protection We would like Curaçao to be recognised internationally as a country in which iGaming is properly regulated and supervised We would like to be the go-to country of online gaming licences Silvania Costa de Oliveira of Brazil competes in Women's Long Jump “It will be difficult to reconcile my life as mother and athlete But I returned to the track prepared for this type of challenge and I know that this does not affect me or influence the results" Paralympic champion Silvania Costa de Oliveira will line up at the São Paulo Grand Prix this week (26-28 April) in her first major international competition since the birth of her child last year – and she is determined to make a big impression Costa de Oliveira captured the hearts of the nation when she won long jump T11 gold on the penultimate day of track and field at Rio 2016 leaping to victory with her sixth and final attempt Her brother Ricardo had won the men’s event eight days earlier baby João Guilherme arrived; Costa de Oliveira was - unbeknown to her – already pregnant when she claimed her first Paralympic gold medal The Brazilian returned to athletics just 30 days after the birth of her son but the São Paulo Grand Prix will be her first major international meeting since winning Paralympic gold because basically my whole life was dedicated to the sport I was already thinking about the moment to come back This is the reason why I was back 30 days after João Guilherme's birth,” she said it was clear in my mind that it was not time yet to end my career as an athlete I think I still need to practice more to give my best Costa de Oliveira had a strong desire to get back to the sport But she also feels ready to perform when it matters most “It has already been a year since my return and I am feeling ready to compete at a high level,” she explained “There is still a lot to do before Tokyo 2020 but I am feeling more courage and determination compared to this same preparation time before Rio 2016 But I returned to the track prepared for this type of challenge and I know that this does not affect me or influence the results.” The memories of that golden moment in Rio’s Olympic Stadium are still strong and continue to spur the 30-year-old on as she looks towards her next big target – defending her title at Tokyo 2020 “The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are unforgettable memories for me I always say that there is no former Paralympic champion this title is mine and I will have it for the rest of my life people will remember about the Games in Rio and will also remember that Silvania was the champion While she missed out on the London 2017 World Championships who set the current world record of 5.46m in Sao Paulo nearly two years ago Fellow Brazilians Lorena Salvatini Spoladore – bronze medallist at Rio 2016 - and former 100m T11 world and Paralympic champion Terezhina Guilhermina also compete in the Grand Prix “I think I should only worry about that when they get close to my mark because I believe in my potential and ability I know that it is just up to me,” she explained “I am not worried about the other competitors But I am feeling ready for this competition I want to bring good results from the Grand Prix Cara Brook recognizes the link between the diversity of species in an ecosystem and how well that ecosystem functions “At almost every level of the tree of life communities function better when more diverse,” she wrote in her application to the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship “As a woman in male-dominated field biology who conducts research in the low income setting of Madagascar I am committed to advancing diversity—of gender and socioeconomics—in STEM,” she said in her statement As one of five female scientists who will receive grants of $60,000 each from the fellowship program Brook will have the opportunity to advance her scientific research studying viral tolerance and aging in bats and advance diversity in STEM through her ongoing mentoring and outreach activities The 2020 fellows, announced Nov. 16 by L’Oréal USA Since its launch in 2003, the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program has awarded more than $4 million in grants to 85 female scientists as the American component of L’Oréal’s global efforts to boost the participation of women in STEM AAAS has partnered with L’Oréal USA since 2005 to manage the program’s application process and two rounds of peer review AAAS enlists scientists to vet applications in their field of expertise and select finalists then coordinates a jury that draws from multiple disciplines to select the five winners The fellowship reaches female scientists at a crucial time during their careers, according to L’Oréal USA. A study of past fellows conducted in 2019 for the fellowship program by RTI International found that the attrition for women in STEM is high during the postdoctoral stage Yet 100% of past fellows continue to work in science and nearly all said that obtaining independent grant funding was important in enabling their careers The fellows are recognized for their contributions to STEM fields and their commitment to serving as mentors to younger women and girls; accordingly the grants will fund their scientific research as well as a diverse range of outreach and mentoring activities will continue and advance her support of women and girls in science in Madagascar by funding scholarships for a programming course she has run for the last five years She will also support the Madagascar chapter of Girls Who Code a global nonprofit that equips girls with coding skills Padilla-Coreano will fund an expansion of Stories of Women in Neuroscience a project that catalogs interviews and profiles of female neuroscientists to highlight their successes and inspire younger women The grant will enable her to interview more female scientists around the world Fellows also plan to reach out to their local communities with opportunities for scientific engagement Nguyen plans to create science kits for local students – who may live close to a world-class research institution without knowing any scientists – to teach them about chemistry  She also plans to visit schools with her fellow female scientists to inspire and show diversity in STEM Several fellows will also use funding to pay stipends to undergraduate students who assist with their research incorporating two key goals of the For Women in Science fellowship: advancing innovative scientific research and cultivating the next generation of female scientists “The L’Oréal fellowship will not only allow me to advance my career goals but also impart to others what I gained as a mentee: enthusiasm for STEM and the confidence to pursue my dreams,” said Brown She hopes to mentor two female undergraduate students who will serve as paid research assistants The fellows will take part in a Nov. 17 virtual roundtable hosted by the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine in collaboration with L’Oréal USA about the experiences of postdoctoral women during the COVID-19 pandemic Applications for the 2021 fellowship will open Nov. 30 at https://lorealfwis.aaas.org Our ability to provide a voice for scientists and engineers and to advance science depends on the support from individuals like you Give together we can be a united voice for scientific progress.  Join Former Malta Gaming Authority head Mario Galea is among a group of people being accused of fraud and embezzlement in the Caribbean island of Curaçao in a report sent to the Curaçao Attorney General last week The 400-page report was drafted and filed by Luigi Faneyte a financial forensic investigator and member of Curaçao’s opposition PAR party The report accuses Curaçao’s finance minister Javier Silvania of conspiring with Galea and another two Malta-linked operators to set up a “web of fabrications” used to embezzle and launder millions of euro Aideen Shortt is a PR consultant to Curaҫao’s gaming regulator It calls on Curaçao AG Guillano Schoop to take criminal action against the quartet Schoop has not responded to the report thus far The report comes at a politically sensitive time with Curaçao gearing up for a general election set to take place next March According to reporting from igaming media publishers Next.io, Silvania is currently leading a wide-ranging reform of the regulation of Curaçao’s gaming industry widely believed to be amongst the laxest in the world The reform involves beefing up the sector’s regulator and adopting a new licencing system for operators in the industry The process has proven to be controversial with the proposed new laws meeting resistance from various quarters Silvania engaged Galea and Shortt as advisors describing them as “Maltese investors” Galea was a key figure in the formative years of Malta’s gaming industry serving as CEO of the Lottery and Gaming Authority (now known as the Malta Gaming Authority) between 2004 and 2008 and then briefly as the authority’s chair in 2013 He later went on to provide consultancy services in the gaming industry both in Malta and internationally often through his company Random Consulting Limited whom Faneyte describes as Galea’s “life partner” was recently engaged as a communications advisor to Curaçao’s gaming regulator she is an established figure in the gaming industry having reportedly joined Galea’s consulting company back in 2015 although she left to set up her own company Mario Fiorini is the founder and CEO of IGA Group a Maltese company providing advisory services in the gaming industry The company announced that it would be venturing into Curaçao earlier this year Faneyte’s accusations revolve around a system of so-called provisional licences put in place while the reforms are in the works any company hoping to get hold of a licence has to apply through a portal managed by Galea a situation he describes as “leading to concerns about monopoly formation and lack of transparency” Some 155 of these provisional licences have been issued so far with several companies holding them having declared bankruptcy in recent months leaving behind a trail of unpaid debts amounting to almost €8 million Among them is BC.Game a company whose holding company was declared bankrupt in early November after facing allegations of misconduct Faneyte accuses Fiorini of having “played a key role in the transferring assets and (illegal) income from BC.Game” through IGA Group “I don’t have and never had any involvement or financial interest in BC.Game This is only one example of the false claims being made by Mr Faneyte,” Fiorini told Times of Malta Curaçao’s public registry records do not list Fiorini as holding any shares in BC.Game’s current or previous holding companies Pointing to “opaque money flows and inadequate supervision” Shortt and Fiorini “actively participated in the setting up of a system that is fundamentally deficient in transparency” using private email addresses to carry out official business and hide supposed conflicts of interest Among them is that Galea last year said that Curaçao authorities had engaged 170 people to assess licence applications only for these people to turn out not to exist with minister Javier Silvania later saying that nobody had been engaged to date saying that licenses were being vetted and issued using artificial intelligence “Faneyte seems to be misinterpreting a statement I made during a presentation to the Curaçao Parliament three years ago Curaçao’s regulator might eventually need to employ approximately 170 people,” Galea said Fiorini and Silvania all rejected Faneyte’s accusations Describing them as “baseless and unfounded,” Galea said that Faneyte’s allegations are based on “unsubstantiated assertions” that “are not supported by any credible evidence” Galea also denies the suggestion of any undue involvement in Curaçao’s licencing platform “The Curaçao Gaming Control Board is the ultimate manager of the entire process We are not involved in any decisions related to licence issuance nor do we collect any funds from operators the licences issued through this process are not provisional but are proper licences granted under the current framework” Shortt also strongly rebutted Faneyte’s accusations describing them as “completely false” “It is a blatant attempt to derail the process of the modernisation and reform of Curaçao as a gambling jurisdiction,” she said Shortt also denied any involvement with Galea’s company Random Consulting Limited was engaged by Curaçao’s finance ministry to provide PR services “Lilywhite has no connection whatsoever to Random Consulting,” Shortt said Fiorini said that Faneyte’s assertions “are completely false and motivated by his political ambition” “Luigi Faneyte is a member of the opposition party in Curaçao Part of this campaign has been based on unfounded claims against Maltese citizens currently investing in Curaçao.” finance minister Javier Silvania also pointed to Faneyte’s political interests Silvania described Faneyte’s claims as “baseless and devoid of factual accuracy” with “no credible proof to support these allegations” “It is evident that these accusations are politically motivated aimed at influencing public opinion in light of the upcoming elections in March 2025,” he said “I can only conclude that these allegations are part of a broader strategy to divert attention and mislead the public for political gain” Silvania said that Galea was engaged in February 2022 “to assist in formulating a new online gaming policy for the country” shortly after the pair met the previous year when Galea was providing a similar service to the Republic of Georgia Galea’s engagement with Curaçao’s government ended in January 2023 please register for free or log in to your account Despite the General Audit Chamber noting fewer errors and uncertainties in the 2022 annual report  WILLEMSTAD - The MFK faction in Parliament says it took note of the community's reaction regarding the report sent by the General Audit Chamber to Parliament related to the Annual Report of the country for the year 2022 which indicates that despite the annual report containing fewer errors and uncertainties regarding legality the annual report does not provide a real view of the country's financial situation by the end of December 2022.  The MFK faction says it is aware that the government within the framework of the country's reform package is working on a process to achieve optimization of financial management titled "Roadmap to an unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements 2026 Curaçao" The MFK faction is aware that within the framework of the trajectory for financial management optimization various changes and adjustments have already been made but there are still various other aspects that need to be addressed.  the General Audit Chamber indicates that the legality error due to the excess of the budget of Curaçao amounts to a total of 521.2 million guilders the General Audit Chamber specifies a sum of 314.7 million in budget excess for expenditure and 206.5 million less in budgeted revenue.  Although the annual account for 2022 demonstrates an improvement compared to previous years considering it concerns the country's budget the MFK faction says it believes that it is extremely important for the people of Curaçao to receive more information and clarification from the Minister of Finance Javier Silvania the MFK faction has requested the President of Parliament to convene a meeting of the Central Committee so that the minister can provide comprehensive explanations to the public regarding the use of public funds thereby allowing Parliament to have a better view of the real financial situation of the country Brazil’s reigning world champion Silvania Costa broke the women's long jump T11 world record* on Sunday (26 June) She accomplished the feat at the Caixa Loterias Athletics and Swimming Championship which were held at the brand new Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre The 29-year-old long jumper was able to achieve a 5.34m leap All her valid jumps surpassed Spain’s Purificación Ortiz's previous record of 5.21m set in 1997 "I believe this mark shows that I'm on the right path towards Rio 2016 Paralympic Games I had already just missed this world record but today the conditions were great and I could pull it off" Silvania's best jump had taken place in May’s Loterias Caixa Athletics Open Championship in Rio de Janeiro The 5.20m leap was just 1cm short of the world record *Record still to be ratified by IPC Athletics Earlier this year, Finance Minister Javier Silvania emphasised that Curaçao, moving ahead, would shed its reputation as the “red-headed step-child” of the gambling industry and underscored the country’s commitment to holding operators accountable to international standards Silvania now expressed enthusiasm as the LOK progressed to the next phase stating that the “submission of the LOK to Parliament is not just a procedural step but a leap towards transformative progress.”  Silvania further stressed that the LOK is the result of “extensive consultations and collaborative efforts across the entire online gambling industry.” He described the new legislation as well-rounded workable and catering to the diverse needs of all current and future stakeholders while bringing revenue and employment opportunities to Curaçao Curaçao initially signaled its intent to revamp its iGaming regulatory structure in the summer of 2022 aiming to eliminate the current master and sub-licensing system the move didn’t garner unanimous support within the industry.  The proposed overhaul encountered resistance leading operators to consider contingency plans and explore alternative jurisdictions for licensing CEOs in the industry expressed concerns about the proposed introduction of new deposit thresholds and player KYC procedures.  It was feared these changes would escalate operational costs and potentially undermine Curaçao’s standing as a thriving iGaming hub The uncertainty surrounding the alterations had prompted Tim Heath, founder of Yolo Group and Yolo Investments, to predict a mass exodus of operators last year in anticipation of the island’s new licensing regulations While the number of operators committed to staying in Curaçao remains uncertain at this point in time as of now there has been no mass departure “Curaçao continues to grow in maturity now with their improved and updated regulations and I fully support them and their approach,” Heath said following news of the LOK’s submission to parliament Heath noted that numerous operators are still exploring alternative jurisdictions such as Anjouan or Kahnawake expressing a sentiment that Curaçao is now perceived as “too white.” positioned within the Indian Ocean and forming part of the Comoros, has fast emerged as a preferred alternative due to its minimal local requirements the autonomously operating Kahnawake Mohawk Territory has licensed more than 250 gaming sites.  the Isle of Man and Costa Rica stand out as strong contenders All four jurisdictions are actively courting operators and seeking to attract businesses away from Curaçao In a recent effort to showcase its appeal, Curaçao highlighted a reduction in licence fees from a current cost of €61,700 to €49,200 per annum under the new legislation Finance minister Silvania has indicated that the country will soon unveil specific timelines regarding the final implementation of the LOK