THE HAGUE – Parliamentarians attending the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (Ipko) in The Hague have been presented with a grim assessment of the current international security environment. The analysis, shared by experts from the Clingendael Institute and Leiden University, highlights the fragility of the liberal world order and warns of potential consequences for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.

According to the experts, escalating armed conflicts, the growing global influence of China, and tensions between the United States and Venezuela could directly impact the islands. They cautioned that the Kingdom, due in part to the Royal Navy’s presence in the region, risks being inadvertently drawn into regional conflicts.

In addition to military risks, the experts pointed to economic vulnerabilities and ongoing migratory pressures from neighboring Venezuela as major challenges.

The sobering outlook left an impression on the delegations present. Parliamentarians stressed the urgent need for concrete strategies outlining how the Kingdom plans to prepare for potential crises that may affect both Europe and the Caribbean territories.