Rob Jetten, Minister of Climate and Energy will pay a working visit to Bonaire, Aruba and Curaçao from the 8th to the 17th of May. The visit will focus on climate and energy transition on the islands.
Bonaire
The trip starts on the 8th of May in Bonaire, where the minister will, among others, have talks with members of the Executive Council and the Bonaire Future Forum. Also on the programme are talks with representatives of Bonaire’s Water and Power company, WEB (Water- en Energiebedrijf Bonaire), Contour Global and BBT (Bonaire Fuel Terminals). In the evening, the advisory report of the Bonaire Climate Table will be officially presented to Minister Jetten. On the 9th of May, the minister will visit Lac Bay, where he will be shown around by DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) and engage with entrepreneurs on sustainability during the establishment of the Business Federation Bonaire.
Aruba
In Aruba, Minister Jetten will speak with the Governor, the Prime Minister and the Parliament Chairman and party leaders. The visit is additionally centered on the first Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference (CCEC) organized by Aruba and the Netherlands from the 10th to the 12th of May. During the conference, representatives of islands from the Caribbean region, as well as relevant parties outside, such as Pacific island states, UN organisations, knowledge institutes and financial institutions, will discuss the possibilities of accelerating the climate and energy transition on small island states. During the conference, the Netherlands and Aruba will sign a cooperation agreement on renewable energy. On the last day of the conference, the minister will visit several sustainable energy projects and engage in discussions with students from the University of Aruba and EPI MBO.
Curaçao
The working visit will continue on the 15th of May on Curaçao. Here, the minister will speak with, among others, the Governor, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Economic Development, with whom he will sign an agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of sustainable energy. On the 16th of May, the minister will address students at the University of Curaçao, he visits research centre Carmabi and receives a presentation from Climate Change Curacao on the impact of climate change on the island. Afterwards, the minister will engage with representatives of Curacao’s LGBTQ organisation at their invitation. The last day of the visit on the 17th of May, with a visit to Curoil and Aqualectra’s wind farm, will focus on energy supply on the island.