THE HAGUE - The Council of Ministers has approved the appointment of Barbera Wolfensberger as the new Director-General for Kingdom Relations (DGKR) at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The decision, made on the recommendation of Minister Rijkaart, will take effect on February 1, 2026.
The Directorate-General for Kingdom Relations oversees cooperation between the Netherlands and the countries of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, as well as the special municipalities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. Its work includes policy coordination, inter-ministerial alignment, and the planning and execution of development programs and projects across the Kingdom.
According to the Ministry, Wolfensberger’s main task in the coming years will be to improve essential infrastructure and public services—such as housing, road networks, and neighborhood development—on the islands, while also strengthening their economic resilience and self-reliance.
“This requires decisiveness, diplomacy, an integrated approach, and an open, equal partnership,” the ministry said in a statement. “A deep understanding of the geographic, historical, and administrative context and sensitivities of each part of the Kingdom is essential. The Director-General is also expected to successfully guide the ongoing reorganization of the DGKR, with attention to workload and the inclusion of diverse perspectives.”
Broad experience in government and media
Wolfensberger has served since July 2017 as Director-General for Culture and Media at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). Within that role, she has also been the portfolio holder for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom on all OCW-related matters.
Previously, she held several leadership positions, including Chief Marketing Officer at De Telegraaf Media Group, Chair of the Top Sector Creative Industry at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (2014–2027), CEO at FHV BBDO, and Head of Corporate Identity and Communications at HEMA.
Wolfensberger holds a degree in Communications from the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.
Her appointment is seen as a strategic step toward reinforcing Kingdom-wide cooperation and development, particularly in addressing long-standing challenges across the Caribbean territories.
