Extra Journaal: Curaçao Daily News Digest — Sept. 30, 2026

Curaçao utility company Aqualectra has announced a new community outreach initiative called 'Aqualectra den Bo Bario' — meaning 'Aqualectra in Your Neighborhood.' The project aims to replace all conventional electricity meters and Pagatinu prepaid meters with modern smart meters across the island. By bringing the rollout directly into residential neighborhoods, Aqualectra hopes to make the transition more accessible and less disruptive for customers. Smart meters offer benefits such as real-time energy monitoring, more accurate billing, and remote meter reading, reducing the need for physical inspections. The initiative signals a broader push by Aqualectra to modernize its utility infrastructure and improve service delivery across Curaçao.

The Association of Museums and Heritage of Curaçao (AMHC) represented the island this month at two major international gatherings focused on museums and cultural heritage. The events took place in Sydney, Australia and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, marking a significant moment of global engagement for Curaçao's cultural sector. AMHC's participation signals the organization's commitment to connecting Curaçao's heritage institutions with broader international networks and best practices. These kinds of gatherings typically serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and raising the international profile of participating institutions. By attending events on two different continents within the same month, AMHC demonstrated an active effort to position Curaçao as a recognized voice in the global museum and heritage community. The development is notable for a small island nation, reflecting the importance Curaçao places on preserving and promoting its rich cultural identity on the world stage.

The Dutch Health Council (Gezondheidsraad) has issued an advisory recommending that the rules around contact between stem cell donors and recipients be relaxed. Currently, the only form of communication permitted between donors and recipients is through anonymous letters, which limits meaningful personal connection. The Council's recommendation comes in response to a recognized need among both donors and recipients for more direct, personal interaction. Allowing such contact could provide emotional support and closure for individuals involved in what is often a life-saving medical procedure. The advisory signals a potential policy shift in how the Netherlands — and territories such as Curaçao that follow Dutch medical governance frameworks — manages donor-recipient relationships. No timeline has been specified for when or whether the recommendation will be formally adopted into policy.