Curaçao associate-membership treaty goes to Dutch Parliament

Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen submitted Curaçao’s treaty for associate membership of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, to the Dutch Parliament on Monday 19 October 2026. The submission uses a tacit-approval procedure, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum on the agreement’s obligations and its intended role in Curaçao’s regional cooperation.

The Governor of Curaçao was also asked to submit the documents to the Parliament of Curaçao that day. Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas signed the associate-membership agreement on 28 July 2024 during CARICOM’s 47th Conference of Heads of Government in Grenada. The Council of State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands reviewed the agreement in June 2026, raised no objections and recommended submission to both parliaments.

The treaty applies only to Curaçao within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It will enter into force after the required internal procedures are completed and the parties exchange diplomatic notifications. Under the agreement, Curaçao could attend meetings of CARICOM’s Conference of Heads of Government and Community Council of Ministers, join discussions in most CARICOM bodies and propose programmes or policy measures. It would not have voting rights or take part in the Council for Foreign and Community Relations.

According to the explanatory memorandum, Curaçao would contribute about Cg460,000 to the CARICOM Secretariat from its budget. The government is preparing a CARICOM affairs unit, including local personnel, representatives and a strategic cooperation plan.

Sint Maarten began formal communication with CARICOM on associate membership in 2015. The report says Sint Maarten cannot become a full member because it is not an independent state, but it can seek associate membership.