WILLEMSTAD – From May 19 to 21, a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) visited Curaçao as part of efforts to implement the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The delegation was led by Mr. Ugo Blanco, the UNDP representative for Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Trinidad & Tobago. 

The Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to be achieved by 2030, address a wide range of global challenges including poverty reduction, education, healthcare, energy, employment and economic growth, equality, sustainable production and consumption, climate change, and more. 

As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is also committed to the implementation of the SDGs, coordinated locally by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas. In this context, the UNDP conducted an analysis at the request of the Curaçao government to assess the island's progress on the SDGs. The findings were presented to the relevant ministries during the visit. 

On May 21, the delegation—consisting of Mr. Blanco, Ms. Isele Robinson-Cooper, Head of Social Inclusion and Policy, and Mr. Javier Bronfman, Senior SDG Advisor—met with Prime Minister Pisas and the Council of Ministers. 

During the meeting, Mr. Blanco stated that based on the analysis, the UNDP concluded that Curaçao is making good progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The organization even believes that Curaçao could serve as a model for other countries in the region in terms of SDG implementation. 

It was also agreed that Curaçao will receive further support from the UNDP to update its National Development Plan, aligning it with both the SDGs and the policy agenda of the Pisas III Cabinet.