Moonshot Curaçao

Moonshot Curaçao

July 26, 2026

In addition to quick wins, every country also needs a moonshot: an ambitious goal that inspires people, unleashes energy, and drives innovation.

When people hear the word moonshot, they often think of bold technological ambitions: turning Curaçao into a hub for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, or an international ICT center. It is an attractive vision, but I believe that, at this moment, it is beyond our reach. I have mentioned the reason in previous blogs: our human capital. Without a sufficiently educated and skilled workforce, these ambitions remain little more than attractive slogans.

Our moonshot may seem much simpler at first glance, but in reality it is every bit as ambitious: a clean Curaçao, both materially and immaterially. (In fact, I proposed this idea several years ago.)

Imagine setting ourselves the goal of transforming Curaçao within the next few years into the cleanest island in the Caribbean. An island free of litter, with a circular economy in which waste is reused as much as possible, with clean neighborhoods, well-maintained public spaces, and citizens who take pride in their surroundings.

But cleanliness also has an immaterial dimension. It means a government and a society where integrity is the norm, corruption is actively fought, and transparency is taken for granted. An island where people can trust that the rules apply equally to everyone and where the public interest always comes first.

Precisely because this ambition affects everyone, it can become a unifying national project. Initiatives such as Kunuku Man's campaign to introduce a deposit-return system and improve waste separation fit perfectly within this vision—especially considering that our landfill is expected to reach capacity within just a few years. The same applies to the various integrity programs being implemented within government and the private sector. Individually, these may appear to be separate initiatives, but together they are the building blocks of one overarching ambition.

There are inspiring international examples. Singapore has demonstrated that a clean, orderly, and highly ethical society creates an attractive environment for investment, business, and quality of life. El Salvador shows how a country, despite criticism and significant challenges, can undergo profound transformation within a relatively short period when guided by a clear national ambition. The point is not to copy these countries, but to recognize that a compelling and ambitious vision can mobilize an entire society.

Perhaps this is the moonshot Curaçao truly needs. Rather than asking how we can become the next Silicon Valley, we should first ensure that our foundations are strong: a clean, trustworthy, and well-governed island. Once that foundation is in place, many other ambitions become far more achievable.

Great transformations often begin with a simple but inspiring choice. Perhaps our moonshot is not to become the smartest society in the Caribbean, but the cleanest and the most ethical.

Miguel Goede