Provided Opportunity to Strengthen Contacts & Exchange Views
THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell,
recently attended the 2026 Annual Congress of the Association of Netherlands
Municipalities (VNG), held in the Achterhoek, with Oost Gelre and Winterswijk serving as
host municipalities.
This year’s Congress, held under the theme “We doen het samen” (“We do it together”),
brought together municipal leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders to
exchange perspectives on cooperation, local governance and challenges confronting
communities.
The plenary programme included addresses by Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Prime
Minister Rob Jetten. Queen Máxima addressed the importance of social and community
initiatives and cooperation between municipalities and civil society, while Prime Minister
Jetten placed emphasis on the importance of closer cooperation between different levels of
government for the benefit of the local citizens.
Minister Arrindell also participated in the Kingdom Networking Lunch, which provided an
opportunity to strengthen contacts and exchange views with representatives and partners
from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Minister Arrindell further attended one of the more than 50 afternoon sessions. The
Congress attracted approximately 3,250 local government administrators and other
participants, according to VNG.
The two-day program combined plenary sessions, workshops, excursions and networking.
Topics included housing, spatial planning, climate adaptation, biodiversity, energy
transition, circular development, water management, municipal workforce challenges and
community participation.
The minister’s participation underscored the importance of maintaining strong working
relationships with municipalities and other partners within the Netherlands, while creating
opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and greater awareness of the
particular circumstances and priorities of Sint Maarten.
Sint Maarten’s participation for the first time since 10-10-10 as a new member of VNG was
in December 2024.