THE HAGUE – Curaçao has joined Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands in unanimously supporting a proposal to reform the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) and transform it from a largely discussion-based forum into a more structured and results-oriented platform.
The initiative, spearheaded by Chairlady of the Parliament of Sint Maarten Sarah Wescot-Williams, received backing from all Kingdom delegations during the June 2026 IPKO meeting in The Hague.
The proposal aims to improve continuity between meetings, strengthen accountability and ensure that major Kingdom issues are followed up with concrete actions rather than being repeatedly discussed without resolution.
Under the proposed reforms, IPKO would introduce multi-year themes, formal action plans with responsibilities and deadlines, mandatory progress reports and stronger mechanisms for monitoring implementation.
According to Wescot-Williams, the objective is to ensure that important Kingdom issues produce measurable results.
“IPKO has proven its value over the years as a forum for dialogue and cooperation, but it must continue to evolve if it is to remain effective and relevant,” she said.
For Curaçao, the proposal could have significant implications. Several long-standing issues affecting the island, including the democratic deficit within the Kingdom, the Kingdom Dispute Regulation and matters related to the slavery past, have repeatedly been discussed at IPKO without reaching final solutions.
The new approach would require participating delegations to clearly define the purpose and desired outcome of discussions before issues are placed on the agenda. Those outcomes could include decisions, follow-up actions or specific commitments from the parties involved.
Supporters argue that the reforms would help ensure that concerns raised by Curaçao and the other Caribbean countries receive sustained attention rather than disappearing from the agenda after each meeting.
The proposal now lays the foundation for a more structured system of parliamentary cooperation throughout the Kingdom, with greater emphasis on follow-up, documentation and accountability.
According to participants, the unanimous support demonstrates a shared recognition that stronger Kingdom cooperation requires stronger mechanisms for dialogue and action.