Baku, December 6, AZERTAC

The international conference titled “French and Dutch Colonialism on St. Martin—One Island, One People, One Destiny” was held in Baku.

The event focused on the independence struggle of Saint Martin, currently under French and Dutch colonial rule, with participants including Saint Martin representatives, anti-colonial organizations, parliamentarians, and decolonization experts.

Franklin Meyers, a member of Saint Martin's parliament, described the quest for independence as a fundamental right: “We believe that organizing such conferences is a very important step on the path towards our main goal of advancing towards independence.”

Azerbaijani MP Parvana Valiyeva expressed solidarity, condemning the historical injustice of colonialism that divided the island and its people.

Abbas Abbasov, the Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, gave an extensive presentation on the organization's activities. He discussed the Group's main mission and objectives, highlighting the projects carried out and the successes achieved. He noted, "To date, the Baku Initiative Group has organized 22 events related to colonialism, signed 3 memoranda, and also participated in various international platforms."

Rhoda Arrindell, President of the One Saint Martin Association, called for unity and international support to address the enduring consequences of colonial rule.

The conference included presentations on the legacy of dual colonialism, moderated debates on education and social development, and the launch of a book outlining strategies for world-class education in Saint Martin.

A key outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku Initiative Group and the One Saint Martin Association.

Participants emphasized that this conference was a vital platform to rally international backing, with hopes of advancing Saint Martin’s journey toward self-determination and independence.