WASHINGTON, ATLANTA – Curaçao's Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington, Jérôme Beeldsnijder, has concluded a series of follow-up meetings in Atlanta aimed at expanding economic, educational and cultural cooperation between Curaçao and the U.S. city following discussions held during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The visit builds on meetings that took place in June, when Atlanta hosted eight FIFA World Cup matches and Curaçao's national football team made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament. Atlanta served as one of the tournament's key host cities and used the event to showcase its sports, business and innovation sectors.
According to the Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary, the latest discussions focused on opportunities in cybersecurity, financial technology (fintech), tourism, sports and the creative industries.
One of the meetings was held with executives from iHeartMedia, one of the largest media companies in the United States, where both sides explored innovative radio concepts and potential opportunities for collaboration in broadcasting and media development.
The Curaçao delegation also visited Kennesaw State University to discuss strengthening ties between higher education and entrepreneurship. The university has gained international recognition for its work in sports management, innovation and research, particularly during the FIFA World Cup, when it hosted several national teams and supported tournament operations.
The mission concluded with a visit to an Atlanta Braves game, where Curaçao baseball legend Andruw Jones was honored following his recent induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The visit reflects Curaçao's broader strategy of using sports diplomacy and international partnerships to strengthen economic development and international visibility. Officials have increasingly sought to leverage the island's historic participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to open doors for cooperation in areas extending well beyond football.