Island Council Departs for Working Visit to the Netherlands - June 2025
June 6th, 2025 - The Island Council of Sint Eustatius along with the Island Registrar departs today for a working visit to the Netherlands, as part of its annual participation in the VNG Annual Congress, held every June. The Congress, organized by the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), provides a vital platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among local governments from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
From left to right: Island Registrar Mrs. Melissa Robins-Spanner, Councilman Derrick Simmons, Council Lady Mercedes Lopes-Spanner, Councilman Clyde van Putten, Council Lady Raquel Spanner-Carty, Councilman Glenville Schmidt, DP Faction Support Staff Ernie Simmons.
Also joining the delegation PLP Faction Support Staff Iligia Jones (not in picture).
The working visit serves as an opportunity for the Island Council to engage in meaningful dialogue with counterparts from other Dutch municipalities and to stay abreast of current developments, innovations, and best practices in public administration.
In addition to attending the VNG Congress, the Island Council will hold a series of strategic meetings with various Dutch ministries. These engagements are aimed at strengthening intergovernmental relation and advancing Statia's priorities on matters such as infrastructure, public health, education, and economic development.
The visit also includes the BES Summit, which brings together delegations from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The summit provides a forum for collaborative discussion and a unified approach to shared challenges faced by the Caribbean Netherlands.
This annual working trip underscores the Island Council's commitment to representing the interests of Sint Eustatius at a national level, building productive partnerships, and ensuring that the voice of the island is heard in decision-making processes within the broader Kingdom framework.