Curaçao moves closer to CARICOM membership as treaty reaches Dutch Parliament

WILLEMSTAD--Curaçao has taken another significant step toward completing its formal associate membership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), following the submission of the membership treaty to the Dutch Parliament for approval on Monday, October 19, 2026. The development moves the country closer to finalizing an agreement that will strengthen its position within the Caribbean and expand cooperation in trade, security, healthcare, education and regional development.

Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen submitted the treaty to the Dutch Parliament under a procedure known as tacit approval, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum outlining the benefits, obligations and strategic importance of Curaçao's relationship with CARICOM. The Governor of Curaçao was also requested to present the documents to the Parliament of Curaçao on October 19.

The latest development follows the signing of the associate membership agreement by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas on July 28, 2024, during the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Grenada.

Meanwhile, St. Maarten’s application for Associate Membership of CARICOM remains a mystery. The formal communication with CARICOM for St. Maarten to become an associate member began in 2015. St. Maarten cannot become a member of CARICOM as it is not an independent nation, but it can be an associate member. There has been no recent update about the process.

Although CARICOM welcomed Curaçao as its sixth associate member at that time, the agreement still requires completion of the Kingdom's internal approval procedures before the treaty can formally enter into force.

The treaty has already cleared an important advisory stage. In June 2026, the Council of State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands reviewed the agreement, raised no objections and recommended that it be submitted to the Dutch Parliament and the Parliament of Curaçao.

According to the explanatory memorandum, associate membership forms part of Curaçao's broader strategy to strengthen regional integration, deepen economic relationships and establish a more prominent role in Caribbean affairs.

The document explains that closer cooperation with CARICOM will allow Curaçao to pursue its economic, social, cultural and educational interests through regional institutions, while participating in initiatives addressing challenges shared by Caribbean countries and territories.

Under the agreement, Curaçao would be entitled to attend meetings of CARICOM's Conference of Heads of Government and Community Council of Ministers. It would also be permitted to participate in discussions within most CARICOM bodies, propose programs and policy measures, and benefit from regional initiatives that fall within the country's autonomous responsibilities.

However, Curaçao would not have voting rights and would not participate in the Council for Foreign and Community Relations, which is reserved for full CARICOM member states.

The arrangement therefore offers Curaçao opportunities to become more involved in regional decision-making and cooperation without assuming the full obligations associated with CARICOM membership.

Among the areas identified for closer collaboration are public health, disaster management, education, digital development, energy, agriculture, economic cooperation and law enforcement.

The explanatory memorandum specifically identifies participation in institutions such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as important opportunities for Curaçao.

Regional security cooperation is another priority. The government sees opportunities to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordination in combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and other forms of cross-border crime.

Participation in CARICOM would also provide Curaçao with access to regional expertise, training opportunities and institutional partnerships intended to strengthen local capacity and improve the implementation of national policies.

Economic cooperation represents another major component of the agreement. The memorandum notes that Curaçao had already initiated negotiations on bilateral trade agreements with Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname before concluding its associate membership agreement with CARICOM.

Closer ties with the regional organization are expected to complement those efforts by creating additional opportunities for trade cooperation and economic development.

The explanatory memorandum also outlines financial and administrative obligations arising from membership. Curaçao would be required to contribute approximately 460,000 Caribbean guilders (XCG) to the CARICOM Secretariat, with the amount to be covered by the country's budget.

Curaçao's government is also preparing to establish an administrative structure to coordinate its participation in CARICOM. This includes plans for a dedicated operational unit for CARICOM affairs, the appointment of local personnel and representatives, and the development of a strategic cooperation plan.

These arrangements are intended to ensure that Curaçao can participate effectively in CARICOM meetings, institutions and regional initiatives rather than simply holding associate membership status.

The agreement additionally provides that Kingdom nationals registered in Curaçao's population registry would be eligible to apply for vacancies within the CARICOM Secretariat, creating another potential avenue for professional and institutional participation.

For Prime Minister Pisas, the advancement of the treaty represents further progress on a regional integration initiative pursued by Curaçao since 2023, although the ambition to join CARICOM dates back to the former Netherlands Antilles.

The government has incorporated stronger regional and international relationships into its 2025–2029 governing program, identifying regional cooperation as an important component of Curaçao's long-term development.

The treaty applies exclusively to Curaçao within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its formal entry into force will depend on the completion of the required internal procedures and the exchange of diplomatic notifications between the parties.

With the agreement now before the Dutch Parliament, Curaçao has moved another step closer to completing the legal process and strengthening its participation in the Caribbean's principal regional integration organization.

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