CARTAGENA – Edison Rijna, Special Envoy for the BES islands, led the Dutch delegation at the 30th Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Cartagena, at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Kingdom of the Netherlands participated as an associate member on behalf of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
While the Netherlands does not have voting rights as an associate member, the membership offers valuable opportunities to monitor regional developments, strengthen ties with neighboring countries, and present the islands as committed partners in the Caribbean region. Key topics discussed during the summit included climate change, tourism, sustainability, and regional cooperation.
Rijna emphasized the importance of networking: “We used the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and establish new contacts with countries that could be valuable partners for the BES islands, particularly in trade and tourism.” The ACS consists of 25 member states and 10 associate members; Panama currently holds the Council presidency through 2026.
