Ministry of Justice in Sint Maarten for JVO Meetings
ORANJESTAD – On January 14, 2026, an Aruban delegation consisting of senior officials and experts from the Ministry of Justice, led by Minister Arthur Dowers, attended the 2026 Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO) meetings in Sint Maarten.
The JVO is an important platform for cooperation among the Ministries of Justice of the Netherlands, Aruba, Sint Maarten, and Curaçao, and is held twice a year.
The 2026 JVO takes place on January 14, 15, and 16 and focuses on the following topics:
- Detention and Capacity: addressing prison overcrowding and reforming detention systems.
- Juvenile Crime: shifting from punishment to prevention, with an emphasis on strengthening the link between education, care, and social support.
- Illegal Firearms: strengthening joint intelligence-sharing and prosecutorial cooperation.
- Training of Public Prosecutors: expanding the successful training program for local talent.
- Undermining Organized Crime: further in-depth discussion of this phenomenon.
During the first session of these meetings, partners within the Kingdom convened at a high level to discuss, align, and further develop common protocols in preparation for the ministerial meeting. This session aims to formulate strategic policies on various justice-related issues, with the goal of strengthening cooperation, efficiency, and mutual trust.
During the first session of the 2026 JVO, delegations exchanged experiences, shared current priorities, and focused on joint challenges within the justice sector.
The visit to Sint Maarten reaffirms Aruba’s continued commitment to working closely with its partners within the Kingdom, with a clear focus on a strong, modern, and sustainable justice system for all participating countries.