Minister Geoffrey Wever has launched an intensive schedule of meetings in Washington, D.C., focused on securing international support for Aruba’s efforts to tackle climate change and advance economic development. His agenda began with key discussions at the World Bank, where the emphasis was on the urgent need for climate financing. Talks addressed the specific risks facing Aruba and explored opportunities for both technical and financial assistance aimed at climate adaptation and mitigation projects. Minister Wever underscored the urgency of these issues and the importance of close cooperation with global financial institutions to confront the country’s financial vulnerabilities.
Subsequent meetings with World Bank executives and Eugene Rhuggenaath expanded the conversation to a broader assessment of Aruba’s economic landscape. Topics included an evaluation of the island’s current economic performance and the potential impact of global developments—such as changes in U.S. trade tariffs—on key sectors like tourism and public finance.
The minister also held constructive talks with CARPAC (IMF), one of Aruba’s long-standing partners, to discuss ongoing technical assistance and explore new avenues for collaboration, including adapting economic models to current realities.
Minister Wever’s visit aims to keep Aruba engaged with the international community and to strengthen strategic partnerships with institutions like the World Bank and IMF. He stressed the importance of sharing Aruba’s challenges on the global stage and staying involved in key policy discussions to ensure the country is informed and can access available financial and technical support. These meetings mark an important step in securing sustainable solutions and positioning Aruba within the global dialogue on climate and development.
