PHILIPSBURG:--- The Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Caribbean Summit 2025 begins today, Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the Simpson Bay Resort, ahead of the official opening ceremony and discussions scheduled for tomorrow. The four-day summit, running from 26–29 November, brings together land administration leaders, technical experts, and strategic partners from across the Dutch Caribbean.
This year’s summit welcomes approximately 65 attendees, representing government agencies, technical institutions, regional partners, and private-sector innovators working to advance land management and geospatial information systems.
Hosted by Kadaster St. Maarten in collaboration with DataAxis, the event focuses on strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating the digital transformation of land governance. Participants will engage in discussions, case-based learning, and knowledge-sharing on innovation, data accessibility, sustainable spatial development, and future-ready cadastral practices.
The formal programme begins on November 27 with an opening session with remarks by Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, and VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs, together with representatives from DataAxis and the Digital Leadership Transformation Project. The opening is followed by a keynote presentation from Ruben Roes of Kadaster Nederland, who will outline the legal groundwork for GKI implementation in regional land management.
Throughout the day, attendees will participate in a series of plenary discussions exploring the digital foundations needed for modern land administration, including national roadmaps, interoperable systems, and institutional readiness. Speakers from across the region, including representatives of DataAxis, Kadaster St. Maarten, the Kadasters of the BES islands, and DLV Aruba, will address current challenges and opportunities in digital transformation. Afternoon sessions will examine cybersecurity, governance frameworks, and the legal and institutional requirements essential for creating resilient, future-ready cadastral systems.
On November 28, the summit continues with the official MoU signing and launch of the Caribbean Cadasters Association, a vehicle for cooperation among cadastral authorities. The day further includes bilateral technical meetings between participating countries and partners, providing a dedicated platform for collaboration on shared projects, digital alignment, and institutional strengthening.
The summit concludes with a Closing Keynote Address delivered by Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). Taylor, a Barbadian national with more than 30 years of public-sector leadership in digital transformation, previously served as Chief Digital Technology Officer in Barbados’ Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science, and Technology, where he guided national efforts to modernise public services through strategic innovation and SMART technology. He also held senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, overseeing digital operations across local and overseas missions. As CTU Secretary-General, Taylor plays a central role in advancing regional ICT policy, strengthening intergovernmental collaboration, and supporting the implementation of national digital transformation strategies.
Kadaster St. Maarten Director Benjamin Ortega highlighted the strategic importance of regional collaboration, stating: “Digital transformation in land governance cannot happen in isolation. As Kadaster advances toward smarter systems, modern tools, and higher service standards, regional collaboration remains a critical foundation. This summit allows us to learn from each other, align our approaches, and invest in the skills and partnerships that will define the future of land administration in the Caribbean.”
DataAxis CEO Guershon Nahr noted of the summit, “The GKI Caribbean Summit serves as an essential platform for bringing together technical leaders, policymakers, and innovators who play a critical role in modernizing land administration across the region. By facilitating dialogue and sharing global best practices, we aim to support partners in adopting efficient, data-driven systems that strengthen institutional capacity and improve public services. We are pleased to collaborate with Kadaster St. Maarten in advancing this important regional agenda.”
The GKI Caribbean Summit 2025 represents a significant step toward building stronger, more integrated approaches to spatial planning, digital infrastructure, and public service delivery across the Dutch Caribbean.