OCTA

Overseas Countries
and Territories Association

Menu
Member access
Member access
Accueil / OCTs / OCTs / Bonaire
TCB-20180201-07
Rincon with source in the middle
RTP_7925 with source in the middle

Bonaire

Bonaire

About Bonaire

Bonaire-01

Bonaire is an island in the South-Eastern part of the Caribbean, about 80 km from off the coast of Venezuela. Its surface area is 294 km2 and its population 20 104 (2019).
Together with Curaçao and Aruba it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands.

The official language is Dutch.

Bonaire
in a few numbers

1
Erasmus+ projects
2
BEST2.0 projects

Contact

Bianca Peeters
Focal point EU matters

biancapeters79@gmail.com

Bonaire
Environment

Flamingo Sanctuary and Salt Mountains -large with source

Bonaire is of volcanic origin. Volcanic rocks of the Washikemba formation (of Cretaceous age) form the base and core of the island. After the Eocene age these volcanic rocks came to the surface due to tectonic uplifting. Around this small island, coral growth formed a fringing reef system. Once the island emerged, the erosion of its central part revealed its volcanic rocks.

Bonaire is relatively flat and arid, lying in a climatologically unique part of the Caribbean, drier and with a short rainy season in the winter (Oct-Jan). As a result, the island has a rare and unique flora and vegetation: cacti, acacia trees and thorny plants, but also mangroves and salt marshes. Average annual precipitations range between 560 mm and 1,000 mm and temperatures between 24°C – 32°C year-round.

Political & administrative status

From the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010, the BES islands (Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) were given the status of public entity (often referred to as “special municipality”) within the Netherlands, while the islands of Curaçao and Sint Maarten are autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, just like Aruba. Bonaire is part of the Netherlands and an overseas territory of the European Union.
The Executive Council is responsible for the day-to-day management of Bonaire.

Economic information

Bonaire’s economy is mainly based on tourism. Bonaire is world renowned for its excellent scuba diving and is consistently rated among the best diving locations in the world. Tourism infrastructure in Bonaire is contemporary and based on timeshare resorts. There are a few small bed and breakfasts.

Bonaire strives for a sustainable development. Assets are the internationally renowned Bonaire National Marine Park, the Washington Slagbaai National Park and the wind farm. During testing, the wind farm produced 77% of the total energy demand, which is unique in the world. Currently, 33% of Bonaire’s electricity is produced by wind.

Sustainable waste management is an aspect of the island’s ‘green’ ambitions. Bonaire wishes to achieve a high standard of waste processing. The limiting factor is the small size of the island in relation to the financial and economic feasibility. Bonaire, in collaboration with the private sector, is exploring the region for waste processing markets, particularly in South America. In 2020, State Secretary of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Dutch Government, Stientje van Veldhoven, announced that Bonaire will be assisted with the improving of solid waste management with 2.78 million euros in financial support.

GDP: 428 million USD (2017)
GDP per capita: 22 100 USD (2017)

Participation in EU Programmes

Bonaire has been successfully involved in Erasmus+ and BEST2.0.

For more information, click here

Edison Reina

Governor of Bonaire

Edison Rijna (born 7 July 1967) is the current Governor of Bonaire, appointed from 2020 to 2021.

Mr. Rijna obtained his bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance in 1996. Between 2004 and 2011 he has worked for different private companies active in the banking sector. Mr. Rijna is additionally the executive director of Bon Recycling B.V.; a waste recycling company in Bonaire dedicated to creating awareness among the people of Bonaire about the importance and benefits of recycling. Prior to being appointed as the Island Governor of Bonaire on 20 August 2014, Mr. Rijna served as the acting Island Governor of the Island.

Mr. Rijna is the chairman of the Executive Council and the Island Council. He is not a member of the Island Council himself but can participate in the discussions during the meetings of the Island Council. As chairman, he is responsible for coordinating the meetings.