Curaçao – The Director of Bureau Telecommunications and Post Sint Maarten (BTP), Judianne
Hoeve, delivered a strong and timely message on data sovereignty and Caribbean collaboration at the
Caribbean Data Center Conference held in Curaçao. The event brought together ministers, regulators,
policymakers, ICT professionals, and senior data center representatives from across the region.
In her address, Hoeve emphasized that data centers are no longer “invisible infrastructure,” but are
now critical to national security, economic development, and digital trust. She highlighted the
growing importance for Caribbean countries to work together to ensure that data is managed securely,
responsibly, and in a way that benefits the region.
“For small island states like Sint Maarten, digital infrastructure is not just about technology, it is about
resilience, economic opportunity, and protecting our digital future. We must collaborate as a region to
build trust, strengthen our regulatory frameworks, and ensure that we are not left behind in the global
digital economy,” said Hoeve.
Hoeve also moderated a high-level panel discussion on “Regulation for Trust”, guiding an important
dialogue among industry leaders and regulators. Key topics included the shared responsibility for trust
in the digital ecosystem, balancing regulation with innovation, strengthening cybersecurity and
resilience, and addressing the growing importance of data sovereignty and artificial intelligence.
The discussion highlighted several regional challenges, including limited resources, increasing cyber
threats, fragmented regulatory approaches, and the need to keep pace with rapid technological
developments such as AI. Panelists agreed that greater cooperation between Caribbean countries is
essential to address these challenges effectively.
For Sint Maarten, the discussions underscore the importance of investing in secure digital
infrastructure, strengthening regulatory oversight, and building partnerships within the region. This
will help ensure that the country can safely store and manage data, support business growth, and
protect its citizens in an increasingly digital world.
BTP remains committed to playing an active role in regional and international discussions, advocating
for policies and initiatives that promote trust, security, and innovation in the telecommunications and
digital infrastructure sectors.
