News item | 03-04-2026 | 09:56
Eric van der Burg, State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations, will visit the six Caribbean islands of the Kingdom from April 7 to 17. He successively visits St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Themes that will be discussed during the State Secretary’s introductory visit include effective governance, security, economic resilience, cooperation in the Kingdom and food security.
During his trip, the State Secretary will get to know, among others, administrators and representatives. He also visits various projects, including the construction of the new Black Rock harbor on Saba, the preparations for the celebration of 250 years of the First Salute on St. Eustatius and projects in the context of the reconstruction after Hurricane Irma on St. Maarten. He will also talk to representatives of social organizations in Curaçao and the Commemoration Committee for the History of Slavery. In Aruba he is given a tour by Sunny Greenz, a young agricultural entrepreneur. On Bonaire he visits the Selibon Lagún landfill and talks to local residents.
During his visit to Aruba, State Secretary Van der Burg will participate in the OCT-EU Forum. This is an international platform for dialogue between the European Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). This event brings together policymakers, diplomats and academics from the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Antarctic regions. The conference focuses on strategic cooperation in the areas of sustainable economic growth, the rule of law, climate adaptation and digital transformation.
