WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas received a delegation from the World Trade Organization (WTO) this week as Curaçao continues taking steps toward becoming an independent member of the international trade body.
Curaçao officially became an observer member of the WTO on March 3, 2020. To obtain full independent membership, the country must negotiate with WTO member states and establish a trade regime that complies with the obligations contained in the organization’s various agreements, which are binding on all 164 WTO members.
According to the government, WTO membership could offer significant benefits for Curaçao’s economy and international trade position.
One of the core principles of the WTO is that member countries maintain transparent and predictable trade systems designed to prevent unnecessary barriers to international trade. The government says this would strengthen Curaçao’s position as a trading partner and create opportunities particularly in the export of local products and services.
WTO regulations are also internationally recognized as an important legal framework for concluding trade agreements with other countries.
The negotiations for Curaçao’s independent membership are taking place within a special WTO working group chaired by Ambassador Matthew Wilson of Barbados.
Ambassador Wilson and the secretary of the working group, Dimitar Bratanov, are currently visiting Curaçao to meet with local authorities and stakeholders involved in the WTO accession process.
As part of the visit, the delegation met with Prime Minister Pisas on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Also attending the meeting were Finance Minister Charles Cooper, Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof, and Curaçao’s chief negotiator, Caryl Monte.
Discussions focused on the process toward WTO membership, the roadmap toward independent accession, and the responsibilities of Curaçao’s ministries and government institutions in implementing WTO treaty obligations.
During the meeting, Ambassador Wilson reportedly expressed confidence in the progress being made and indicated he would make every effort to help Curaçao achieve independent WTO membership within approximately two years.
Prime Minister Pisas described independent WTO membership as an important step in Curaçao’s strategy to further strengthen the island’s international economic position and develop a modern trade system aligned with developments in the global economy.