WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will host the first official meetings of the newly established Caribbean Commission of the Parlamento Latinoamericano y Caribeño (PARLATINO) on May 20 and 21 at the Parliament of Curaçao.
The new special commission was created to focus specifically on issues affecting Caribbean countries within the regional parliamentary organization, including climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.
Delegations from several countries are expected to participate, including representatives from Aruba, Argentina, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay.
Curaçao representatives J. Carolina and R. Cijntje are part of the commission.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday morning, May 20, at 9:00 a.m. in the Parliament meeting hall at Wilhelminaplein.
During the opening session, Parliament Chairman Fergino Brownbill and PARLATINO President Rolando González Patricio are expected to deliver welcome remarks, followed by the formal installation of the Caribbean Special Commission.
The commission meetings will continue over both days at the former Central Bank building, currently used as the BNA faction office. Organizers stated that the sessions will not be open to the public.
On Thursday afternoon, the PARLATINO program will conclude with a working visit connected to the commission’s themes.
Delegates are expected to visit the Aqualectra plant at Fuik as well as the mining facilities of Mining Company Curaçao at Tafelberg.
During the visits, the delegation will receive presentations on Curaçao’s drinking water production process and initiatives related to sustainable development, renewable energy, climate resilience, and water security in the Caribbean.
According to organizers, the meetings provide parliamentarians from participating countries with an opportunity to exchange legislative experiences, strengthen regional cooperation, and discuss common Caribbean challenges.
Curaçao’s Parliament has long participated actively within PARLATINO and has contributed on multiple occasions to the development of model laws intended to serve as legislative examples for countries across the region.