On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the delegation of the Parliament of Sint Maarten—currently in the Netherlands—attended and participated in the first day of the 36th InterExpo Congress. This year’s theme, “15 Years After 10–10–10,” offers presenters and attendees an opportunity to reflect on the relationships between the countries Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten and the Netherlands, as well as the position of the public entities Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba since the constitutional reform of October 10, 2010.
The congress opened with remarks by the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Mr. Eddie van Marum, followed by a keynote address from former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende. Presentations were then delivered by former Minister Mr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin, the National Ombudsman, Mr. Reinier van Zutphen, and UNESCO Netherlands Chairperson, Ms. Kathleen Ferrier.
During the afternoon session, the President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, the Hon. Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, delivered a presentation reflecting on 15 years of constitutional change. She highlighted considerations regarding the constitutional fitness of the current model for a small island developing state like Sint Maarten, emphasizing the importance of localization, stronger parliaments, balanced democracy within the Kingdom, cooperation, tailored support, mutual respect, and practical design. The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Hon. Dr. Luc Mercelina, also presented on the topic “Leading Toward Constitutional Autonomy for Sint Maarten.”
The day concluded with a panel discussion on “Future Prospects for the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Visions and Expectations,” featuring Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina, former Prime Minister Mr. Balkenende, the Deputy Prime Minister of Curaçao, the Hon. Mr. Charles Cooper, and Member of Parliament of Aruba, the Hon. Ms. Ruthlyn Lindor.
The delegation of the Parliament of Sint Maarten consists of the President of Parliament, the Hon. Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, and Members of Parliament the Hon. Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, the Hon. Mr. Raeyhon A. Peterson, the Hon. Mr. Viren V. Kotai, the Hon. Mr. Omar E.C. Ottley, the Hon. Mr. Lyndon C.J. Lewis, and the Hon. Mr. Egbert J. Doran.
