The Hague – At the invitation of the Senate of the States General, the Hon. Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, attended the opening of the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) today in the plenary hall of the Senate. Delegations from Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao and the Netherlands gather this week to discuss matters of common interest within the Kingdom. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Olger van Dijk, the agenda includes education, geopolitical developments, ageing populations, and the 70th anniversary of the Charter of the Kingdom. The consultations will continue until Monday, 29 September. Representing Sint Maarten were the President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, the Secretary General of Parliament and eight Members of Parliament representing the fractions in Parliament. In her opening address to the plenary session, Mrs. Wescot-Williams emphasized the importance of unity and physical presence during the talks.
Arrindell stated: “As a firm believer in the power of collaboration, I hold that working together- across the parliaments of all four countries within the Kingdon of the Netherlands- is not just a political ideal, but a democratic responsibility. It is through mutual respect, open dialogue, and collective action that we can truly serve the greater benefit of the people we represent. Our shared history binds us, but it is our shared future that must inspire us”.
The Sint Maarten delegation also provided an update on the country’s correctional facilities. It was announced that the new prison at Point Blanche is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026.
About IPKO
The IPKO is a biannual consultation between the parliaments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Since its establishment in 1970, IPKO has served as a platform for exchanging views, fostering cooperation, and strengthening ties among the Kingdom partners.
