To: Chairpersons of the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten
Subject: Request for Agenda Inclusion and Speaking Rights at IPKO February 2026
A coalition of youth representatives from the six Caribbean islands and the Caribbean community in the Netherlands has issued an urgent appeal to the parliamentary leaders of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The request centers on the upcoming Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), scheduled for February 17, 2026, in Aruba. The group seeks to address the climate crisis as a shared responsibility within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and to advocate for structural solutions that ensure the rights and safety of Caribbean residents.
Climate as a Shared Responsibility
The youth representatives emphasize the existential threat posed by the climate crisis to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. While the Netherlands benefits from robust frameworks like the Delta Act and consistent financial support for climate adaptation, the Caribbean islands lack similar guarantees. This disparity leaves Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten vulnerable, as they are unable to independently access critical international climate funds due to their constitutional status within the Kingdom.
The group highlights the upcoming court ruling on January 28, 2026, in the climate case brought by eight Bonaire residents and Greenpeace against the Dutch State. This case underscores the need for a Kingdom-wide climate adaptation plan developed in close collaboration with local communities. The youth representatives view this as a precedent for safeguarding human rights through the Kingdom’s guarantee function (Article 43 of the Charter), while respecting local autonomy and self-determination.
Local Expertise and Scientific Collaboration
The Caribbean islands are home to a wealth of talent and expertise in climate science and adaptation. Initiatives like the Feelin’ Hot Tool demonstrate the capacity for local innovation, but these efforts often remain limited to short-term projects. The youth representatives argue for a structural approach to climate adaptation, rooted in collaboration across the Kingdom. They call for the Netherlands to facilitate resources while allowing the islands to lead, in line with the principle of mutual assistance (Article 36 of the Charter).
Formal Requests
The youth representatives formally request the following:
1. Agenda Inclusion: That climate adaptation and the implications of the upcoming Bonaire climate case ruling be added as a permanent agenda item for the IPKO meeting on February 17, 2026.
2. Speaking Opportunity: That Oriana Wouters, a youth representative from Aruba, be granted 5-10 minutes to present the local perspective during the opening of this agenda item.
A Call for Kingdom-Wide Action
The youth representatives stress that the IPKO is the ideal platform to address the Kingdom’s shared climate challenges. They urge the parliamentary leaders to seize this opportunity to foster collaboration and ensure a sustainable future for all parts of the Kingdom.
Signatories:
• Oriana Wouters (Aruba)
• Terence Ching (Curaçao)
• Riddhi Samtani (Sint Maarten)
Representing Caribbean Youth within the Kingdom
Footnotes
1. At COP30, international agreements were made to significantly increase financial resources for climate adaptation. However, the constitutional status of the CAS countries within the Kingdom limits their direct access to these funds, leaving them reliant on the Dutch government’s policies.
2. See also: Misiedjan, D.J.E. (2021). "Separate but equal in the protection against climate change? The legal framework of climate justice for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands."
This appeal underscores the urgency of addressing climate justice and adaptation as a Kingdom-wide priority, ensuring that no part of the Kingdom is left behind in the fight against the climate crisis.
