The Netherlands | Ombudsmen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Sign Cooperation Protocol

This year, the ombudsmen of the four countries that make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands gathered in The Hague for their annual meeting. Jurima Bryson, Ombudsman of Aruba, Keursly Concincion, Ombudsman of Curaçao, Gwendolien Mossel, Ombudsman of Sint Maarten; and Reinier van Zutphen, the National Ombudsman of the Netherlands, came together to share experiences and discuss the challenges they face in their work.

A key topic on the agenda was the growing waste management faced by the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom. Due to their small size and reliance on imported goods, these islands face significant challenges in managing the increasing volume of waste. Factors such as rising migration and a growing tourism sector have contributed to a dramatic increase in waste over the past decade.

The high costs associated with waste disposal, a lack of adequate incineration facilities, and the increasing prevalence of illegal dumping pose serious risks to public health and the environment. The ombudsmen explored how their institutions could contribute to addressing these urgent issues.

This year also marked the tenth meeting of the Kingdom’s ombudsmen. Reflecting on the success of their collaboration, they noted that the tradition of meeting annually had never been formally documented. To ensure continuity and strengthen long-term cooperation, they agreed to formalize their partnership. On Monday, 20 October, the four ombudsmen signed an official Protocol of Cooperation, affirming their shared commitment to preserving and continuing this vital collaboration for years to come.

Source: The Office of the National Ombudsman, The Netherlands