Government and ABC begin negotiations following judge’s order

ORANJESTAD — The Government of Aruba and Aruba Birdlife Conservation (ABC) held their first formal meeting on Friday, September 11, after the Court gave the Government five weeks to seek a solution to the conflict surrounding nature protection and UTV and ATV activities along Aruba’s north coast.

The meeting marks an important shift in a conflict that has escalated in recent weeks through protests by tour operators, political pressure and legal proceedings. Tour operators went as far as blocking the Las Américas roundabout following a meeting with the Government, while another group later protested in front of the Government Office demanding clarity about the future of their activities.

ABC, for its part, remained firm in its position that it was not prepared to withdraw the case. As recently as Tuesday, September 8, the organisation confirmed directly to Noticiacla: “We are not cancelling the case.”

One day later, the Court postponed the case for five weeks, but imposed an important condition: the Government must sit down with ABC within one week and make a serious effort to reach a solution that takes into account the protection of flora and fauna, the interests of tour operators and Aruba’s broader public interest. The case is scheduled to continue on October 15.

FIRST MEETING

According to the Government, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, Internal Services and Telecommunications René Herdé met with ABC to open a dialogue and identify possible common ground. Both parties preferred to hold the meeting outside government buildings.

The Government maintains that the objective should be a solution that combines nature protection with responsible tourism and recreational activities. Following the meeting, both sides will review the points discussed internally and continue negotiations.

ABC president Greg Peterson confirmed that the meeting began at 2 p.m. on Friday and described it as “a good first meeting,” while warning that much work still lies ahead.

“Negotiations have started. Finally, nature has a serious seat at the table,” Peterson said. According to him, ABC is following the judge’s instructions. He also thanked Minister René “Baba” Herdé for his willingness to engage in dialogue.

The meeting represents an important step specifically requested by the judge: not only to hold discussions with the UTV and ATV sector, but also to formally place nature protection at the negotiating table. The Government has already signed a protocol with several tour operators to continue negotiations on routes, restricted access, enforcement, zoning and environmental protection.

Now that ABC has also formally joined the process, the five-week period will have to show whether the three interests — nature, tourism and employment — can genuinely be brought together in a solution that could prevent the Court from ultimately having to decide the dispute.