E8 representatives present shared priorities to Dutch MPs

Representatives of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, along with delegates from the Wadden Islands, met in Texel on 1 and 2 October under the E8 partnership. The group brings together the three Caribbean public entities and Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.

Statia Island Governor Alida Francis presented three priorities from the E8 discussions: equal investment, stronger local implementation capacity and increased climate action. Francis said policies for the islands should account for their size, logistical realities and cost structures.

Francis and Texel Mayor Mark Pol presented the priorities to Member of Parliament Heera Dijk, joined by MPs Marieke Vellinga-Beemsterboer, Luciënne Boelsma-Hoekstra and Björn Schutz. The programme also included sessions on freshwater management, integrity and island governance, as well as discussions on the 2027 elections and proxy voting.

Saba Island Governor Jocelyn Levenstone gave the presentation on the 2027 elections. Bonaire Island Governor John Soliano spoke about governance in public and semi-public organisations. The two-day programme also included visits focused on nature management and coastal protection.