Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Sign Agreement to Explore Shared Legacy of Slavery

On Friday, October 16, 2026, three Dutch Caribbean governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the “Slavery Past Action Agenda: Genetic Legacies of Slavery and Poverty of Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.” This was a formal step toward discovering their shared history.

Commissioner Eviton Heyliger signed for the Public Entity Saba, Minister Melissa Gumbs on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, and Commissioner Reuben Merkman for the Public Entity St. Eustatius. The agreement confirms the three governments’ dedication to promoting scientific studies connected to genealogy throughout the islands.

Documenting ancestral histories and expanding knowledge of the islands’ entwined past are the goals of the project. It aims to assist descendants in tracing their ancestry and family history through oral histories, digital archives, and genealogical research.

The governments intend to collaborate with academic institutions and research centers, promote community involvement in the study, and preserve the islands’ common history for future generations.

The signing marks a significant step forward in regional cooperation among the three islands.

PES