James Finies participated in the official side event of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) titled: “From Doha to Action: Accelerating the 2030 Agenda through Collaborative Approaches to Secondary Effects, Multidimensional Poverty, and Integrated Implementation of the SDGs,” held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The conference brought together representatives of governments, the United Nations system, academia, and civil society to discuss practical ways to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with special emphasis on multidimensional poverty, policy coherence, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Bonaire, Mr. Finies expressed his appreciation for the discussion, but emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved when the people most affected are excluded from the decisions that determine their future.
During his intervention, Mr. Finies said: “I am James Finies from Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean under Dutch administration since 2010.”
Referring to the Forum’s emphasis on policy coherence and the elimination of structural barriers to sustainable development, he asked the following question: “In line with the United Nations’ commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ and reach those furthest behind, how can the international community expect Bonaire to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals if fundamental decisions about our development are taken by a European Dutch government thousands of kilometers away from Bonaire instead of being taken by the people of Bonaire themselves?”
Mr. Finies emphasized that sustainable development requires more than just economic policies. It requires real participation, inclusive governance, and accountability to the people whose lives are directly affected.
Finies concluded his intervention with the following question for the international community: “Should not true inclusion, democratic participation, the right to self-determination, and accountability be recognized as essential conditions for sustainable development in territories like Bonaire, which have no representation, no United Nations oversight, no accountability before the international community, and are governed externally below the level of democratic self-government recognized by the United Nations?”
The intervention at the forum is based on concerns previously presented to United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), regarding poverty, inequality, participation in decision-making, cultural identity, education, and sustainable development in Bonaire.
The promise of the 2030 Agenda to “leave no one behind” must also apply to the people of Bonaire. Sustainable development demands that people living in externally governed territories must be fully included in the decisions that affect their future, and that they must have true participation, transparency, and accountability in the development process.
James Finies and BHRO reaffirmed their commitment to continue working constructively with the United Nations, Member States, regional organizations, and civil society to promote human rights, inclusive development, and equal opportunity for the people of Bonaire.