THE HAGUE – Dutch political leaders must not lose sight of the interests of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom in the face of current geopolitical shifts. That was the warning issued by Professor Emeritus Gert Oostindie during the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) in The Hague, where parliamentarians from the Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten convened.

Oostindie highlighted the vulnerable position of the six Dutch Caribbean islands, stressing that good governance must begin at home. “Put your own house in order first, which starts with strong and honest governance on the islands themselves, supported by the Netherlands where necessary,” he said.

The professor underscored themes of security, stability, and regional threats, noting that the Caribbean is highly dependent on global developments—particularly the smaller islands, whose economies rely heavily on tourism. “This makes geopolitical and economic stability all the more essential,” Oostindie emphasized.

Among the major challenges, he pointed to climate change, economic shifts, the growing influence of countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and China, as well as migration flows, human trafficking, and organized crime.

Despite these pressures, Oostindie noted that the islands maintain a strong reputation in the region as “beacons of stability and the rule of law” due to their constitutional status within the Kingdom. But he cautioned that they cannot face these threats alone. For that reason, he considers deeper cooperation within the Kingdom, as well as with transatlantic partners, to be of crucial importance.