Klein Curaçao is a small, uninhabited island located approximately 11 kilometers southeast of the coast of Curaçao. This site is known for its untouched coral reefs, abundant fish diversity and biomass, as well as its nesting and breeding grounds for various species of marine reptiles and birds. In recognition of its ecological importance, Klein Curaçao was identified as a Ramsar site in 2018.

The mission of the Ramsar Convention is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.

The “Development Plan for Ramsar Wetland of International Importance #2355: Klein Curaçao”, referred to as Klein Curaçao, is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) Programme.

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) is the lead applicant for the development of this Plan and financing has been arranged in collaboration with the Ministry of General Affairs.
The project’s main objective is to develop strategies to protect Klein Curaҫao’s natural resources while allowing the sustainable use of this area for visitors and residents of Curaҫao.

RESEMBID is a 47-project progamme funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France – the development cooperation agency of the Government of France and supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) – Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.

The project aims to create as much value as possible to advance better management of the waters around the island; development of long-term marine monitoring protocols; enhancement of public awareness; while at the same time contributing to the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals contained in the Development Plan of Curaçao 2015 -2030.

The key outputs are:

1. Establishing a general permit system; functional to manage the use of Klein Curaçao for recreational and tourism-related activities;
2. Establishing a research and monitoring framework to provide a continued evaluation of the island’s ecosystem;
3. Formulating a Klein Curaçao Development Plan;
4. Implementing a national awareness and communications plan;
5. Formulating a financing framework, established to support environmental protection efforts on Klein Curaçao.