WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will be required to pay approximately XCG 460,000 to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as part of the financial obligations associated with its membership as an associate member of the regional organization.
The amount is disclosed in an explanatory memorandum accompanying the treaty between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on behalf of Curaçao, and CARICOM.
According to the document, the contribution will be paid to the CARICOM Secretariat and charged to Curaçao's national budget.
The memorandum does not specify whether the amount represents an annual contribution, a one-time payment or another assessment period. It also does not provide a detailed breakdown of any additional administrative or operational expenses that Curaçao may incur through its participation.
The financial commitment is one of several conditions included in the agreement signed by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas in Grand Anse, Grenada, on July 28, 2024.
Financial Commitment for Regional Cooperation
The government describes associate membership as an important step in strengthening Curaçao's position within the Caribbean.
Through CARICOM, Curaçao can participate in regional discussions and initiatives involving economic development, public health, disaster management, education, technology and law enforcement.
The government believes this cooperation will provide access to specialized knowledge, regional networks and opportunities for institutional development.
However, the membership also requires financial and administrative commitments.
Besides the contribution to the CARICOM Secretariat, the government intends to establish an organizational structure to coordinate participation in the regional body.
That structure is expected to include an operational unit for CARICOM affairs, local personnel and representatives responsible for maintaining contact with the organization's institutions.
The explanatory memorandum does not indicate how much these additional arrangements will cost.
Limited Rights Compared with Full Members
Curaçao's financial contribution does not provide the island with the same decision-making authority as CARICOM's full members.
As an associate member, Curaçao can participate in discussions within most CARICOM bodies but does not have voting rights.
It is also excluded from the Council for Foreign and Community Relations, which is reserved for full member states.
Nevertheless, Curaçao may propose changes to programs and measures and participate in initiatives concerning matters within its autonomous responsibilities.
The government argues that this arrangement allows Curaçao to benefit from regional cooperation without assuming all the obligations of full membership.
The disclosed contribution of approximately XCG 460,000 establishes a direct budgetary commitment. The broader financial implications will depend on how extensively Curaçao participates in CARICOM's programs and what administrative capacity the government develops to support that participation.