Willemstad:--- Recently, a historic event took place at the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort: the Statutory General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS). The conference brought together delegations from more than fifty countries, including policymakers and representatives of international organizations, and marked a highlight in Curaçao’s international presence within multilateral cooperation and policy dialogue. The hybrid meeting marked the conclusion of Curaçao’s presidency of AICESIS, the global organization uniting over seventy economic and social councils. After two years of intensive collaboration, diplomacy, and knowledge exchange, Curaçao officially handed over the presidency to Greece, with a heartfelt promise to continue offering support wherever needed.
On October 30, the first board meeting took place, followed by an inspiring workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI). During this session, two international keynote speakers, one representing the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and one from the UNESCO office of the Caribbean, set the stage by linking the theme of the workshop to global policy action. The central theme, “Harnessing AI for good requires aligned action by governments, social partners, and international institutions,” highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, social partners, and international organizations to fully realize AI’s positive potential. Topics discussed included new forms of work, data laborers, the impact of working conditions, AI literacy, and data integrity.
The official ceremony on Friday, October 31, was opened by the Secretary-General of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, Mr. Raul Henriquez, and featured inspiring addresses from outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn, and Prime Minister of Curaçao Gilmar Pisas. Acting Governor Michèle Russel-Capriles was present for the opening ceremony. The atmosphere was warm, proud, and deeply meaningful: a reflection of how far Curaçao has come on the global stage of socio-economic dialogue.
Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas emphasized in his speech the importance of collaboration and inclusion in times of global uncertainty: “The presence of AICESIS reminds us that dialogue remains the most powerful instrument of governance and peace. When governments, employers, and workers collaborate as equals, societies rediscover their shared purpose amidst diversity.”
Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, advocated for a responsible and inclusive application of artificial intelligence in education, stating: “Our vision is clear: technology must serve humanity. AI should strengthen education, protect privacy, and promote equal access. By linking innovation with inclusion, we can intertwine democracy and development.”
Outgoing AICESIS President John Jacobs reflected with pride on two fruitful years of Curaçao’s leadership: “Development is not a race for output, but a pursuit of balance between innovation and cohesion, prosperity and responsibility. Our collaboration with the UN, ILO, and EU shows that dialogue and trust remain the foundations of inclusive growth.”
During the General Assembly the SER of Curaçao was accepted again as a Board member for the Latin American and Caribbean Region for the upcoming two (2) years and Mrs. Sboui-Racamy, Senior Advisor at the SER of Curaçao was appointed again as Vice Secretary General for our region and as such will coordinate a project with the Hungarian Professor Gustáv Báger using their counterparts in Brazil as an example. The General Assembly concluded with a second board meeting chaired by the new president, the Economic and Social Council of Greece (OKE), Mr. Ioannis Paidas. What began as a formal moment of transition evolved into a celebration of cooperation, mutual trust, and the shared belief that even a small island can make a big impact on the world. The international delegation also enjoyed a carefully curated cultural and social program that offered them a genuine taste of Curaçao’s warmth, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.
