IPKO Thursday Sessions Focus on Country Updates and Geopolitical Developments

SINT MAARTEN/ARUBA - On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO), being held in Oranjestad, Aruba, commenced with delegations from the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the States-General of the Netherlands.

The delegation of Sint Maarten participating in the IPKO consists of the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, Hon. Member of Parliament, Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, Chairlady of the Committee for Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations, and Hon. Members of Parliament, Mr. Viren V. Kotai, Mr. Egbert J. Doran, Mr. Raeyhon A. Peterson, Mr. Francisco A. Lacroes and Mr. Lyndon C.J. Lewis.

The consultation opened with addresses by the Presidents of the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, as well as the delegation leader of the States-General of the Netherlands.

In addition, Chairpersons of the Kingdom Relations Committees of the respective Parliaments presented updates regarding the current situation and recent developments within their respective countries.

The Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, emphasized the importance of this parliamentary platform and meeting. She posed key questions concerning what the countries aim to achieve through IPKO and what benefits our citizens gain from these efforts — matters which, she noted, must be continuously evaluated.

The Chairlady of the Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations (CKAIR), the Hon. Member of Parliament Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, presented updates on the Parliament of Sint Maarten, government and country activities and developments, and the country’s economic and financial situation, among other topics.

The opening session was followed by a working visit to Aruba’s Crisis Management Office, where delegations received a technical briefing on the geopolitical situation within the Kingdom on behalf of the Kingdom Government by Lieutenant Colonel van Wijk of CZMCARIB.

Delegates were also briefed on the functioning of the Arubaanse Militie (ARUMIL) and the Curaçaose Militie (CURMIL) and had the opportunity to meet ARUMIL militiamen.

In the afternoon, delegation Members received a presentation by Mr. D. Werleman of the Ministry of Finance of Aruba and discussed financial relations under the theme: “Balance between financial management, supervision, and autonomy of the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom.”