Report on Sustainable Development of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba Rehashes Familiar Themes
KRALENDIJK – A report prepared by The Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS) at the request of, among others, special EU envoy Edison Rijna, spends 28 pages highlighting well-known issues regarding the sustainable development of the islands, without presenting groundbreaking or revolutionary insights.
To compile the report, a Webinar was conducted, during which 44 respondents answered questions via the Survey Site Mentimeter. The central question of the study was to see how the three BES-islands can better tap into existing international networks to facilitate their sustainable development goals
The report summary states: “Numerous initiatives have been launched to strengthen key sectors on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, serving as building blocks toward a more prosperous and attractive position within international networks.”
The researchers also note that the three islands are positioning themselves as testing grounds for sustainable innovation initiatives: “Efforts are being made in areas such as climate, environmental protection, waste, water, and energy; digital, maritime, and air connectivity; food security; economic diversification by promoting local agriculture, enhancing fisheries, and developing sustainable tourism practices.”
They further observe: “While various opportunities exist for future collaboration between the islands and key partners, their small size and geographical isolation pose significant challenges to economic development and resource management. Limited local capacity and reliance on external support also create obstacles to further integrating Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba into international networks.”
Recommendations
The report ultimately provides three main recommendations: The three islands should align their cooperation processes with the Dutch government, they should optimize access to EU funding and they should increase participation in international platforms.
It is not know how much the study has cost, or who financed it.
The full report is available here: https://hcss.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bonaire-Sint-Eustatius-and-Saba-in-International-Networks-HCSS-2024.pdf