THE HAGUE – More than 15 years after the Dutch House of Representatives first requested an overarching Kingdom-wide strategy for the future of the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba), such a vision still does not exist, according to a new government audit. The analysis underscores ongoing challenges in policy coordination and priority-setting for the BES islands.
The investigative report, conducted by policy research firm DSP, examined the effectiveness of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in its role as the coordinating body for BES policy. The study concluded that despite a formal mandate, BZK has struggled to lead a cohesive, cross-departmental approach to long-term policy planning for Caribisch Nederland.
Since the constitutional changes of 10-10-10, which saw the BES islands become special municipalities of the Netherlands, policy responsibility for the region has been dispersed across multiple ministries. Within a year of the constitutional shift, parliament recognised large discrepancies in how different ministries approached BES policy and mandated BZK to take on a central coordinating function. However, DSP’s findings indicate the ministry lacks both the authority and the enforcement power to bind other departments to a unified strategy.
According to the audit, BZK’s role has largely been limited to facilitating dialogue, identifying problems and connecting stakeholders, rather than driving substantive policy outcomes. The absence of a shared vision has made it difficult to establish priorities and align the actions of other ministries with the broader needs of the BES islands.
In response to the findings, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Maarten van Marum acknowledged the “fundamental problem” identified by the researchers — the lack of a joint rijksbrede toekomstvisie for the relationship between the Netherlands and Caribisch Nederland. He noted that without such a framework, setting long-term priorities and integrating efforts across government departments remains a persistent challenge.
Critics have long argued that piecemeal policy efforts contribute to fragmentation and missed opportunities for sustainable development on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. An integrated vision could cover areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic diversification and environmental resilience — all critical for the islands’ future viability.
Proposals circulating among policymakers call for a coordinated strategy that not only aligns ministries in The Hague but also actively involves local public entities from the BES islands in the development process. Such a vision would aim to bridge gaps between island needs and national policy priorities, strengthening intergovernmental cooperation within the Kingdom framework.
Observers say that without a clear, shared roadmap for the BES islands, residents and local authorities may continue to face uncertainty about long-term government commitments — a situation that could hinder social and economic progress in the Caribbean Netherlands.
More details, including the full audit report and a formal reaction from the State Secretary, are expected to be published publicly in the coming weeks.