Bahamas News
High-Profile list of National Leaders & Organizations slated for CARICOM Meeting in Nassau
By Deandrea Hamilton & Rashaed Esson
Editorial Staff
#TheBahamas, February 15, 2023 – The foreign affairs minister of The Bahamas, Hon Fred Mitchell, arguably the most experienced Bahamian CARICOM minister held a debriefing on Monday February 13 in Freeport; there he unpacked the prominent individuals and organizations expected at the 44th Regular CARICOM meeting.
The roll-call included the president of the Afri-Import Export Bank, Secretary General of the World Trade Organisation and in one of many special presentations, South Korean leaders are expected to make an official appeal.
“Joining us will also be representatives from South Korea because they are campaigning for the support of CARICOM countries for the vote at the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris for the exposition in the year 2030,” said Mitchell.
Also, to be present and representing the United States, former Senator John Dodd and United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry; the Assistant Director General of the FAO, the Food and Agriculture
Organisation and already highly publicized as a special guest, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine will join the Members by video-link.
This year, The Bahamas will be hosting with its Prime Minister, Phillip Davis as chairman.
CARICOM’s priorities this year are many, but these five rise to the top: Crime fueled by illegal arms trafficking; Food and Energy Security; Haiti’s Humanitarian Crisis and Climate Financing.
“The Prime Minister, in an address at the outlook seminar, which took place at the start of the year, laid out his priorities in Foreign Affairs and the major priority is the issue of climate change. So, he said, and he’s been travelling around the world beating the bushes on the subject, because for The Bahamas, climate change is existential and that means quite simply this, the sea level is rising around the world and in the Bahamas 80 percent of the land is within three meters of the sea, so that means, if their sea level rise, the country will disappear or as he says we will either be refugees, climate change refugees or die in a watery grave. That’s the stark reality of what is happening. So, we need to have a couple of things done. Money is the key issue. “
The CARICOM meeting officially opens in Nassau on Wednesday.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.
This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.
This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper, was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”
The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.
Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”
Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.
Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.
Defence Headquarters 28 SEP ’23: HMBS P-45 under the command of Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith
detained a group of Cuban migrants in Cistern Cay, Exuma on September 27, 2023, due to information received from a Good Samaritan vessel in the area that handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Members of HMBS P-45 retrieved twenty-eight (28) Cuban nationals and transported them to HMBS Coral Harbour in New Providence. All individuals appeared to be in good health and will undergo further processing and assessment by Immigration officials.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage and
appreciates the sharing of information and intelligence provided by the boating community to affect migrants and other unlawful interdictions at sea.
(For additional information, contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel).
RBDF
#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting
and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.
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