Coral & Marine Recovery: Aruba opened Coral Academy on De Palm Island, a new coral restoration and reef education center aimed at getting more people—especially those who don’t go into the water—closer to the island’s marine life. 30×30 Marine Protection: Directie Natuur & Milieu, ACF and Blue Marine Foundation shared progress on Aruba’s 30×30 process and will re-engage stakeholders in October to review scenarios for protecting more than 30% of marine areas. Community Cleanup: The third National Cleanup Day brought volunteers, Scouts and organizations together across Aruba, with plastic and foam flagged as common roadside and beach waste. Heat & Drought Response: Santa Rosa urged farmers, livestock owners and fishermen to prepare for extreme heat and prolonged drought, including smarter irrigation timing and water-saving steps. Wildlife & Tourism Pressure: Tour Operators Uni and DNM met on-site at Tera Cora to assess burrowing owl nesting areas near ATV/UTV routes, with operators asking for updated nest documentation. Energy Transition: WEB started work on BESS II, a 35 MW / 70 MWh battery storage project expected to be completed in 2028 to stabilize the grid and boost renewable use. Governance & Enforcement: United Merchants Aruba criticized widespread lack of enforcement across sectors, arguing legal businesses are punished while informal operators face little action. Local Economy & Capacity: Aruba Food & Beverage Association launched a 2026 labor force and tourism carrying capacity survey to map staffing shortages and training needs. Health & Resilience: Sint Maarten’s VSA Minister Claret Connor signed a six-year PAHO/WHO strategy focused on surveillance, health equity, emergency preparedness and tackling antimicrobial resistance.