WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Mr. Gilmar Pisas announced that on July 28, 2024, the treaty for the admission of Curaçao as a new associate member of the Caribbean Community, better known as “CARICOM,” was signed.
This occurred after the Government of the Kingdom approved the treaty negotiated between the Government of Curaçao and CARICOM on June 21, 2024. At this moment, CARICOM consists of 15 full member countries and 6 associate members, including Curaçao.
The signing took place during the opening ceremony of the 47th Meeting of Heads of Government of CARICOM on the island of Grenada. This membership is a significant achievement for Curaçao, as being an associate member of CARICOM will allow Curaçao to benefit in various areas where there is a common interest with other countries in the Caribbean, including economic, national security, environmental, and human resource development.
Combined with our position in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the CARICOM membership places Curaçao in a unique position to continue strengthening its strategic position in the world and our region.
In his address during the opening ceremony in Grenada, Prime Minister Pisas emphasized that Curaçao’s commitment to cooperate with the member countries of CARICOM reflects that Curaçao is an integral part of the Caribbean family and that in this context, we share a common cultural and historical heritage with the countries in our region.
This brings with it a commitment to realize common interests with other countries in the Caribbean region. Prime Minister Pisas emphasized that participation in CARICOM will provide the opportunity for us to work together with other members in various important areas for sustainable economic and social progress for all involved.
In this context, Prime Minister Pisas stressed that our strategic position, natural harbors, and well-developed service infrastructure facilitate Curaçao’s ability to serve as a 'hub' for commerce in the Caribbean.
Furthermore, it indicates that by working together, we can create a more resilient regional economy. Indeed, Curaçao has already begun negotiations with various CARICOM members, such as the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and soon Suriname, to establish commercial agreements with these countries. In addition to economic traffic with CARICOM, Curaçao is also interested in supporting initiatives within CARICOM that offer opportunities for collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, new forms of agriculture, digital technology and telecommunications, human capital development, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
These areas of management have great potential for our future as small islanders in development and for collaboration among CARICOM members.
Prime Minister Pisas finally indicated that Curaçao's relationship with the European Union through its connection with the Netherlands and its relations with major South American countries, such as Venezuela, Colombia, and Suriname, along with our relationship with the United States, positions Curaçao as a valuable partner for CARICOM.
In this context, the fact that our country's citizens generally speak at least four languages gives us a strong foundation to act as intermediaries between the interests of CARICOM and the geopolitical interests in our region.
