PRESS STATEMENT

Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

The Bahamas, February 6, 2025 – A delegation inclusive of all relevant agencies is meeting with SpaceX officials as The Islands of The Bahamas finalise preparations for the historic landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster on February 17.

This landmark moment will make The Bahamas the first international destination to host the Falcon 9 rocket booster landings. This historic event, set to take place off the coast of The Exumas, marks a significant leap for The Bahamas into the realm of space tourism.

The collaboration between Bahamian officials and SpaceX positions The Bahamas as a key player in the growing space tourism industry, with 20 scheduled landings to take place in Bahamian waters on autonomous drone ships. The country will be the exclusive location to witness these remarkable events, offering unique economic opportunities and advancements in technology.

The delegation includes senior representatives from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, and the Port Department.

The relevant senior officials will remain on hand during the launch sequence and launch and ascent. They are fully engaged to ensure all safety, regulatory, and operational measures are in place for the scheduled landing. Every effort is being made to facilitate this historic event while maintaining the highest standards.

Further details regarding the landing and related activities will be forthcoming.

The Hon. I. Chester Cooper
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

February 5th, 2024 – Nassau, Bahamas

Two young Bahamians are using the power of media to inspire environmental action through compelling storytelling. The Conservation Storytelling & Media (CSM) Internship, designed to equip young conservation communicators with hands-on experience, has culminated in two impactful capstone projects created by interns Lauren Ritchie and Quintez Bethel.

The internship, created by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), provides emerging conservationists with the skills and experience needed to use film, photography, writing, and other forms of media as tools for advocacy. The projects from the first year of the internship showcase the unique perspectives of two passionate storytellers working to raise awareness about conservation in The Bahamas.

Lauren Ritchie’s capstone project, a short film titled “Preserve Our Heritage, Protect Our Future,” examines the historical relationship between Bahamians and their ecosystems – once balanced and thriving but now increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and climate change. Her film calls viewers to recognize the urgency of conservation and take meaningful action to protect The Bahamas’ natural heritage.

Quintez Bethel’s project, an immersive photo essay titled “Through the Lens: Photography as a Tool for Conservation,” presents a striking collection of wildlife images captured throughout the internship. His work highlights the power of visual storytelling in conservation, illustrating how photography can inspire emotional connections to nature and drive environmental awareness.

The CSM Internship is a pioneering initiative that empowers young Bahamians to tell conservation stories that resonate with diverse audiences. By equipping them with the technical and creative skills necessary to produce impactful media, the program plays a critical role in shaping the future of conservation communication in The Bahamas.

“Proud doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling of seeing Lauren and Quintez’s completed capstone projects,” said Elijah Sands, BNT Senior Communications Officer and CSM Internship Coordinator. “From the start, this internship was about giving young Bahamians the opportunity to tell conservation stories in ways that resonate, inspire, and drive action—and that’s exactly what they accomplished with their projects. Witnessing the public’s response to these projects reinforces why investing in the next generation of conservation communicators is so critical. We can do all the conservation work we want, but if we can’t inspire people to care, the mission falls short. Lauren and Quintez have created powerful narratives that inspire action, and we are incredibly proud of their work.”

The Bahamas National Trust invites the public to experience these inspiring projects and support the next generation of conservation storytellers. To view the projects, visit: www.bnt.bs/csmcapstones.

To learn more about the BNT’s role in managing national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs, and follow its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the University of The Bahamas Law Society’s Legal Week 2025, on January 27, 2025, at the Harry C. Moore Library, Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis noted that, as a region, they all recognise the need to invest heavily in technological innovation.

“After all, digitalisation is a part of the three biggest changes impacting the world — what we refer to as the triple transition of climate change, digitalisation, and social justice,” he said. “We must ensure that our legal system is keeping pace with these rapid global changes.”

He added: “Take our court system, for example. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the real need for digital technologies. In many ways, we were forced to swiftly and aggressively adopt new technologies. Technologies supporting widespread digital recording, digital meetings, digital hearings, cloud-based storage, and remote access were all rolled out at record speed.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that they “must not let this momentum subside”.

“Just last year, we were able to roll out an electronic filing system for our Supreme Courts, as another important step forward,” he said. “We must continue to be guided by the needs of the courts, the needs of the people, and the need to facilitate justice as we invest in technologies.”

“We must ensure that we are expanding capacity by building new courts such as the Family Courts, like the Juvenile facility that we just opened, and we must ensure that our legislation is keeping up as well,” Prime Minister Davis added. “Locally, we must build on the changes brought in over the past few years to amend the Supreme Court Act, the Judges Remuneration and Pensions Act, the Magistrates Act, the Coroners Act, and the Court of Appeal Act as we work toward the swift and effective administration of justice.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that, in 2024, the Trial by Judge Alone legislation was another step in the right direction. However, he added, there was still a lot that his Government must do to “equip our judicial system with everything it needs to facilitate justice in all contexts”.

“That is the only way we will ensure that our legal system is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century,” Prime Minister Davis said.

He added: “Of course, the biggest shared regional challenge looming on the horizon is climate change. I’m excited to see that we are having a session for millennials and Gen Z to discuss opportunities for innovation and reform. I encourage all young legal practitioners and scholars to speak up and have their voices heard.”

Prime Minister Davis told those in attendance that, sooner rather than later, they will be called upon to “take on our biggest challenges, as the old gives way to the new”.

He said: “You must begin using your influence and your innovative mindset to make a difference right now — and that must include climate change. As we take on climate change, we can anticipate opportunities in sustainability and environmental law. This also applies to areas like financial services where carbon offsetting, impact investment, and compliance with environmental, social, and governance standards will all require the guidance of bright, young legal minds.

“Of course, we cannot anticipate all the changes that the future holds, but we can equip ourselves with the timeless values that will prepare us for any change.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that his experience as both a legislator and an attorney had taught him that the law must “serve the public interest – from the wealthiest and most powerful to the least among us who too often do not have a voice”.

“You are called on to be, among other things, a voice for the weak, powerless and voiceless; to ensure justice is always evenly served,” he said. “In doing so, you will promote social order, civility, equity, peace, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.”

“There is great opportunity to be found in promoting social justice as we work toward building a better Bahamas, a better Caribbean, and a better world,” Prime Minister Davis added.

PHOTO CAPTION

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks, during his Official Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the University of The Bahamas Law Society’s Legal Week 2025, on January 27, 2025, at the Harry C. Moore Library.

(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)