Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, recently traveled to Curaçao, where he met with Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, the President and members of Parliament, U.S. Consul General Ramón “Chico” Negrón, and other government and business leaders. At the conclusion of the visit, Mayor Johnson and Curaçao Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof, signed an International Friendship Agreement between Curaçao and the City of Savannah.

“This agreement is both a culmination and a commencement,” said Johnson. “The purpose is simple: to turn relationships into opportunities for our people. Friendship is the foundation. Partnership is the opportunity. Action must be the result.”

The relationship originated from the historic 2024 visit of the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Savannah and has continued via ongoing discussions and reciprocal visits. Representatives from Curaçao visited Savannah earlier this year, and full-scale delegation visits are anticipated in 2027.

The agreement creates a framework for cooperation in multiple areas, including:

• Education and research with Savannah State University and Savannah Technical College;
• Culture and tourism with the Pin Point Heritage Museum and Visit Savannah;
• Workforce development and hospitality with Savannah Technical College;
• Port, maritime, and trade opportunities involving the Georgia Ports Authority; and
• Sustainability, economic development, marine and coastal research, sports, business and investment.

“Savannah has always been a gateway to the world,” said Johnson. “As our international profile continues to grow, we should build relationships that expand our reach while creating educational, cultural and economic opportunities here at home.”

Mayor Johnson thanked Dr. Dionne Hoskins Brown of Savannah State University, the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor National Heritage, Area, City Manager Jay Melder, Faye DiMassimo and MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson, as well as the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta, for their assistance in developing the relationship.

The City of Savannah and its partners will continue working with Curaçao officials and institutions to identify specific opportunities for collaboration ahead of expanded delegation visits in 2027.