WILLEMSTAD--Curaçao hosted the Caribbean United in Excellence Summit on Friday, October 9, 2026, bringing together senior political leaders from Jamaica, Aruba and Suriname for discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, economic development, investment, connectivity and ensuring that Caribbean citizens benefit more directly from economic growth.
The summit, organized under the leadership of Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, formed part of the country's celebrations marking the 16th anniversary of its autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on October 10, 2010.
Among the participating leaders were Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Aruba's Prime Minister Mike Eman and Suriname's Vice President Gregory Rusland, who represented President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons.
The gathering brought together political representatives, experts and young people to examine shared regional challenges and identify opportunities for cooperation among Caribbean countries and territories, despite their different political and constitutional arrangements.
The discussions focused on sustainable economic development, investment, tourism, digital connectivity, knowledge-sharing and the potential for Caribbean countries to combine their expertise and resources to address common challenges.
Curaçao's Government described the summit as an opportunity to strengthen relationships among neighboring countries and encourage greater regional collaboration, while reflecting on the island's own development since attaining autonomous country status sixteen years ago.
The initiative also emphasized the importance of involving young people in discussions about the Caribbean's future, recognizing that regional development requires the participation of future generations alongside political and economic leaders.
One of the more substantive messages emerged from Aruba's Prime Minister Mike Eman, who challenged regional leaders to examine whether economic growth is translating into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens.
During his address, Eman pointed to Aruba's economic performance over the past fifteen years, noting that the country's gross domestic product had increased from approximately Afl. 4 billion to more than Afl. 7 billion, while tourism revenue per available hotel room had risen substantially.
However, he argued that such economic indicators do not necessarily reflect the daily experiences of families struggling with living costs and other financial pressures.
Eman urged Caribbean leaders to reconsider economic development models that produce strong growth figures without ensuring that the resulting prosperity reaches all sections of society.
He also highlighted his Government's efforts to increase Aruba's minimum wage toward a level sufficient to meet basic living costs, emphasizing that economic progress should be measured by improvements in people's quality of life.
The Aruban leader stressed that greater regional cooperation should extend beyond tourism, investment and commercial relationships to include social development, shared prosperity and opportunities for workers and families.
He also referred to the historical relationship between Aruba and Curaçao, noting that the islands have competed economically in industries such as oil refining and tourism, but that competition should not prevent cooperation on matters of common interest.
Eman used the novelDubbelspel, written by Curaçao author Frank Martinus Arion, to illustrate how differences and competing interests can influence relationships, drawing a parallel with the need for Caribbean countries to recognize opportunities for cooperation.
During his remarks, Eman also extended congratulations to the people of Curaçao and St. Maarten on the 16th anniversary of their autonomous status within the Kingdom, acknowledging the historical importance of October 10, 2010.
He emphasized that autonomy carries responsibilities beyond constitutional arrangements, including ensuring that self-government translates into greater opportunities, dignity and improved living conditions for citizens.
Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness attended the gathering as part of efforts to deepen cooperation with Caribbean partners. His participation reflected Jamaica's interest in advancing regional economic growth, resilience and practical solutions to challenges confronting Caribbean societies.
Suriname's Vice President Gregory Rusland also participated in the summit, representing his country's interest in strengthening regional relationships, expanding connectivity and identifying opportunities for sustainable development.
Rusland's participation highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between Suriname, Curaçao and the wider Caribbean, including the exchange of knowledge and experience in areas where countries face similar challenges.
Curaçao's Minister of Economic Development, Roderick Middelhof, was also involved in welcoming the visiting delegations.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of increasing discussions throughout the region about economic diversification, tourism dependence, regional trade, investment and the need for stronger connections among Caribbean economies.
Although Caribbean countries share many economic and social challenges, differences in constitutional status, institutional capacity and development priorities can complicate regional cooperation. The summit sought to create a platform through which these countries could identify common interests and opportunities for collaboration.
A joint declaration involving the participating leaders is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, coinciding with Curaçao's official Autonomy Day celebrations. Details of the declaration and any specific commitments had not yet been publicly confirmed as of Friday evening.
The summit forms part of a wider series of activities commemorating Curaçao's constitutional transition in 2010, when the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and Curaçao and St. Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom.
For the participating governments, the next measure of progress will be whether the discussions produce practical initiatives that strengthen economic relationships, expand opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to Caribbean communities.
