Island Council of Sint Eustatius to Participate in Saba Day 50th Anniversary and InterExpo 36th Edition

Sint Eustatius, 05 December 2025 -  The Island Council of Sint Eustatius will travel to the neighboring island of Saba to participate in the 50th anniversary of Saba Day, which is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of December.  

Following the Saba Day program, the Island Council delegation will proceed with their working visit  to the Netherlands to take part in the 36th edition of the InterExpo Conference in The Hague, which will be held on December 9, 10 and 11. InterExpo is an annual gathering that brings together representatives of all  islands of the Dutch Kingdom, along with partners and officials from the Netherlands. The event serves as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives on shared challenges and opportunities across the Kingdom. 

This year’s conference theme focuses on the fifteen years since the constitutional reform of 2010. Sessions will evaluate developments over the past decade and a half and explore pathways for the future. The program includes contributions from experts, leaders and practitioners, as well as interactive panel discussions. These panel discussions will explore the future of the Kingdom and the expectations of its partners, the progress and remaining challenges in achieving socially just and equitable education across the Kingdom, and the evolving relationship between the Netherlands and the islands, including what both sides truly expect from one another going forward. 

Councilman Clyde van Putten will deliver remarks during the conference centered on Statia’s democratic development since 2010, including reflections on governance, political representation and lessons learned over the past fifteen years. Councilman Derrick Simmons will participate in a panel discussion on achieving equitable education throughout the Kingdom. The Statia delegation will also include Council Lady Mercedes Lopes, Council Lady Raquel Spanner-Carty, Councilman Glenville Schmidt and Acting Registrar and Council Advisor Marjani Humphreys. 

During their time in the Netherlands, the Island Council will also conduct a working visit to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) to discuss the Public Service Obligation (PSO) and the recent spike in airfare prices, which continue to be a concern for the community of Sint Eustatius.