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 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.
