Island Council Continues Working Visit to the Netherlands
The Island Council of Saba is currently undertaking a working visit to the Netherlands. The visit forms part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to represent the interests of Saba and to ensure that the island’s unique circumstances, challenges and priorities are appropriately reflected in national policy discussions and decision-making processes. Through direct engagement with government institutions, parliamentary representatives and key stakeholders, the Council seeks to contribute constructively to discussions on issues affecting the Caribbean Netherlands.
Since arriving in the Netherlands, the delegation has participated in a range of activities. Among these activities was the VNG Annual Congress 2026, which brought together representatives of municipalities and local governments from across the Netherlands. The congress provided an opportunity to strengthen professional networks and engage in discussions on matters relevant to local governance and intergovernmental cooperation.
The Council also held a preparatory meeting in advance of its discussions with committees of the House of Representatives of the States General (Tweede Kamer). Preparations focused on the key issues to be raised during the parliamentary engagements, including justice and safety, education, infrastructure, connectivity, climate resilience, financial services and the structural challenges facing the Caribbean Netherlands.
In addition, the delegation participated in the Caribbean iBabs User Gathering at Euronext Amsterdam. The program included presentations on current and future developments within the iBabs platform, opportunities for exchange with representatives from the other Caribbean islands and the iBabs team, and practical sessions aimed at enhancing the use of digital governance tools in support of council operations and decision-making.
The Council also visited a trilingual school in Friesland to gain insight into its approach to trilingual education and community engagement. Given Saba’s multilingual context, the visit offers a valuable opportunity to learn from educational practices that may be relevant to discussions concerning education policy within the Caribbean Netherlands.
The program further includes meetings with Greenpeace Netherlands and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). Discussions with Greenpeace Netherlands will focus on climate adaptation challenges facing Saba, national climate policy developments and opportunities to strengthen resilience within the Caribbean Netherlands. As a small island community vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Saba has a direct interest in ensuring that adaptation measures and related policies adequately reflect local realities and needs.
The meeting with DNB will address matters relating to financial services on Saba, including international transaction costs, mortgage lending practices and differences in financial accessibility between the islands. These discussions form part of broader efforts to improve financial inclusion and address challenges experienced by residents and businesses.
A central component of the working visit is a series of meetings with committees of the Tweede Kamer. Discussions with the Standing Committee on Justice and Security will address matters including the State of Law Enforcement Report, capacity constraints, border control, youth care, notary services and concerns regarding unequal treatment within the justice system.
Meetings with the Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Science will focus on developments within the education sector, including recent findings and recommendations concerning education in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Further discussions relating to Kingdom Relations and Infrastructure and Water will address issues of critical importance to Saba, including road safety, protection against falling rocks and landslides, infrastructure maintenance backlogs, water resilience, affordable and reliable connectivity, structural funding arrangements and the need for policies that take into account the specific circumstances of the Caribbean Netherlands.
The Council considers these engagements an important opportunity to present Saba’s perspective directly to policymakers and stakeholders, while advocating for sustainable solutions that support the island’s development and long-term resilience. Through constructive dialogue and cooperation, the Council remains committed to advancing the interests of the people of Saba and ensuring continued attention to the issues that affect the island and its future.
