New Kingdom Conference for Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten with The Netherlands
The Dutch cabinet believes that relations between the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten can be improved through the creation of a new Kingdom Conference. Improving governance on the islands, tackling poverty and strengthening local economies are presented as key policy priorities.
This emerges from the Policy Letter on Kingdom Relations by Eric van der Burg, Minister of Kingdom Relations, which was sent to the House of Representatives.
The plans are an elaboration of the coalition agreement between the VVD, D66 and CDA. At the same time, the cabinet announced additional investments aimed at poverty reduction and economic development on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba—areas where long‑standing structural problems persist.
Recurring Kingdom Conference
The cabinet wants to organise the first Kingdom Conference later this year. The conference is intended to become a permanent platform for discussing shared challenges, such as energy, trade, logistics and geopolitical developments. Structural cooperation within the Kingdom had previously been explicitly recommended by the Council of State, suggesting the absence of such a forum has long been recognised as a gap.
According to Van der Burg, more intensive consultations are needed to strengthen the position of the Caribbean countries in the region. During a recent tour of all six islands, he also met representatives of other European countries with overseas territories, including France and Denmark, to discuss regional cooperation and European funding—an indication that the Netherlands is also looking beyond the Kingdom for solutions.
Focus on governance on the BES islands
For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba — the Netherlands’ special municipalities — the emphasis is on improving public administration and implementation capacity. The cabinet says it aims to build an “upright” government, with clearer legal frameworks and improved public services. The islands will join the Integrity and Security Monitor, continuing a long‑running focus on governance shortcomings.
According to the cabinet, persistent problems such as those surrounding waste processor Selibon on Bonaire—where concerns about risks to people and the environment have existed for years—underscore the need for stronger administrative capacity. The policy largely builds on existing initiatives, including the Good Governance Agenda for Caribbean Netherlands and revisions to the WolBES and FinBES legislation. After the island council elections of March 2027, the BES islands will also receive additional island councillors and executive commissioners, a measure meant to increase governing capacity.
Structural funding against poverty
A central pillar of the policy is the fight against poverty. From 2027 onwards, the cabinet will make €30 million per year available on a structural basis for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The funds are earmarked for measures aimed at ensuring a livable minimum income and reducing the high cost of living on the islands.
Social security on the islands has been the subject of political debate for years. Recent reports have pointed to structural disadvantages and feelings of second‑class citizenship among residents. Despite these concerns, the cabinet reiterates that policies from European Netherlands should in principle apply to the BES islands as well—unless there are compelling reasons not to, taking local circumstances into account.
Reducing dependence on tourism
The cabinet also wants to make the island economies more resilient. Tourism remains a main source of income but is described by Van der Burg as inherently vulnerable. The COVID‑19 pandemic and recent geopolitical tensions in the region exposed how quickly island economies can be disrupted.
To diversify economic activity, the cabinet plans to establish a Caribbean Netherlands Economic Growth Platform to better connect entrepreneurs, investors and innovation. The new National Investment Institution will also be opened to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
A key focus is food security. With 80 to 90 per cent of food currently imported, the cabinet wants to boost local production. It will allocate €6 million for improved cold storage and logistics, and €18 million for a fund accessible to farmers and fishers—measures that have been proposed before, but remain difficult to implement in practice.
Connectivity remains a concern
Finally, Van der Burg highlights connectivity, particularly for Saba and Sint Eustatius. Expensive and unreliable transport links continue to pose serious obstacles for residents and businesses alike. The cabinet describes this limited “connectivity” as a point of attention for further policy development—though concrete solutions remain largely undefined.
