St. Maarten Formalizes Extraordinary Membership with VNG International

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten has formalized its cooperation with the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG International) with the signing of the Certificate of Extraordinary Membership. The signing followed a high level working meeting between the Government of St. Maarten and representatives of VNG International.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina was joined by the Minister Plenipotentiary of St. Maarten, Gracita Arrindell, and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Mr. Stuart Johnson. Their participation underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening governance frameworks, ensuring compliance, and making full use of future cooperation opportunities.

The certificate, co-signed by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and VNG Chair and Mayor of Utrecht Sharon Dijksma, officially confirms St. Maarten’s status as an extraordinary member. Reflecting on the moment, the Prime Minister stated, “The signing of this certificate is far more than a formality, it is a statement of confidence in Sint Maarten’s future. Through this strengthened partnership with VNG International, we are unlocking new avenues of support, knowledge exchange, and technical expertise that will directly improve the lives of our people.”

During the meeting, the Government of St. Maarten and VNG International discussed several priority areas for a 10 year program. These include enhancing mental health services, support the training of medical professionals and transitioning toward greener and more sustainable energy sources. The parties also reviewed outstanding technical assistance under the TWO country packages, looking at the status of available support and the potential reallocation of remaining resources.

Prime Minister Mercelina highlighted the importance of these areas of cooperation, noting, “We are committed to modernizing Sint Maarten through evidence-based policies, professional capacity, and strong partnerships. VNG International can help us build the systems and expertise our ministries and institutions need to deliver at the highest level.”

Human resource development featured prominently in the discussions. Topics included recruitment needs within key ministries, the creation of training opportunities for medical specialists, and the development of pathways for other medical personnel in anticipation of the opening of our new hospital. These efforts are in line with the government’s broader focus on strengthening the civil service and building the island’s professional workforce.

VNG International is the international cooperation agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, fully owned by VNG and headquartered in The Hague. It specializes in strengthening democratic local government in developing countries and countries in transition, based on the expertise and experience of Dutch municipalities. VNG International supports decentralization processes and helps local and regional authorities improve key functions such as service delivery, local taxation, accountability, internal organization, and citizen participation, often working in complex environments affected by conflict, migration, or crisis.

In practice, the organization designs and implements projects that build the capacity and resilience of local governments, working with partners like national ministries, municipal associations, international donors, and civil society. Its programs cover themes such as civil registry, land management, water and waste management, local economic development, governance reform, and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on fair and inclusive access to services, including for youth, women, and vulnerable groups. Through long term partnerships, training, technical assistance, and knowledge exchange, VNG International seeks to help deliver better services and develop sustainable, citizen centered local governance systems.

“Our people are our greatest resource,” PM Dr. Mercelina added. “By investing in training and development, we are investing in a stronger, more resilient Sint Maarten.”

The signing of the certificate reflects shared values of equality, trust, and responsible cooperation between St. Maarten and VNG International. Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Mercelina remarked, “Sint Maarten stands ready to work side-by-side with VNG International to build the strong, professional, service-oriented public sector our citizens deserve. Today’s signing marks a new chapter — one where cooperation leads to real, tangible progress for our island nation.”

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