This conference aims to review progress on the Dutch Caribbean islands’ respective climate plans, with opportunities to discuss successes, challenges and recommendations for cooperation between the six Dutch Caribbean islands and the Netherlands Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth.
The conference was opened by Curacao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, who talked about the challenges that the six islands face and the need for them to come together to tackle climate change. Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth Sophie Hermans also provided a speech where she not only emphasized the importance of collaboration, but also the need for innovation as the driver in finding solutions to the unique challenges the islands are faced with. Following this, each island was given the opportunity to share their climate plans, with Island Governor Johnson presenting for Saba. Governor Johnson described the collaborative process undertaken when developing the climate plan, highlighting its actionable components.
The next step in the development of the climate plan for Saba is to validate the draft plan (and action agenda) with the key stakeholders, who gave input in the participatory workshops held earlier in the year. This is being done to ensure the island community is brought along in the process in order to gain buy-in, support for the plan and ultimately for the community to have a feeling of ownership over the plan.
Governor Johnson concluded his speech with a proverb that speaks on the strength there is in unity and what can be achieved when we all come together: “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.”
