The Netherlands Antilles became the first Associate Member of UNESCO on 26 October 1983, by making use of the UNESCO Constitution Article III Membership point 3. This states that: “Territories or groups of territories which are not responsible for the conduct of their international relations may be admitted as Associate Members by the General Conference by a two-thirds majority of Members present and voting, upon application made on behalf of such territory or group of territories by the Member or other authority having responsibility for their international relations. The nature and extent of the rights and obligations of Associate Members shall be determined by the General Conference.” in this case the Netherlands, Member of UNESCO, made the application for Curaçao.

On Sunday 10 October 2010, a new status of the Netherlands Antilles came into effect within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, by which the country-status Dutch: land of the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist. Under the new status, Curaçao and Saint Maarten became countries (enjoying internal self-government within the Kingdom), joining Aruba, which gained similar status in 1986. Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba have become part of the country “the Netherlands”. The Netherlands retains responsibility for e.g. defence and foreign policy. From this date forward 10 October 2010 the Kingdom consists of four parts: The Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Saint Maarten and enjoy internal self-government within the Kingdom, as Aruba. These changes constitute a modification of the internal constitutional relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will accordingly remain the subject of international law with which agreements are concluded. The modification of the structure of the Kingdom will therefore not affect the validity of the international agreements, ratified by the Kingdom for the Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles: these agreements, including any reservations made, will continue to apply to Curaçao and St. Maarten.