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UNDP appoints new Resident Representative for The Bahamas

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Credentials formally presented to Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau

 

#Nassau, The Bahamas, 6 February 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) newly appointed Resident Representative for The Bahamas, Kishan Khoday presented his credentials to Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusa Ali yesterday at the Ministry.

As Resident Representative assigned to the UNDP Multi-Country Office in Jamaica, Mr. Khoday also represents UNDP in The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Mr. Khoday, a Canadian national of Indian descent, is currently leading a team from the Kingston office on the first leg of an official mission to The Bahamas and Bermuda. While in Nassau, he will also meet with Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Vaughn Miller; Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Honourable Jomo Campbell as well as other officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

In welcoming the new Resident Representative, Ms Ali lauded significant areas of ongoing cooperation with the UNDP including disaster resilience and climate change adaptation and mitigation. She also outlined other key areas for potential collaboration related to digitization and data collection.

Mr. Khoday pledged continuing support for The Bahamas’ development aspirations anchored on an inclusive and sustainable approach that leaves no one behind. He lauded the significant partnership between UNDP and the Government on the nation’s disaster management, climate resilience, biodiversity and debt management agendas, as well as investments in community-based action through the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme and the India-funded Abaco Shelter project. He said that through the current Country Programme (CP)(2022-2026), UNDP offers a strategic approach to combating multidimensional poverty and advancing climate resilient, nature-based pathways, leveraging UNDP’s capacities in innovation, digitalization, and sustainable finance. “As we near the 50th anniversary of UNDP cooperation in The Bahamas, I look forward to building on our long-standing history and expanding cooperation in a way that builds resilience to multi-dimensional crises and advances results under the SDGs. This includes our partnerships for social inclusion and community empowerment; climate resilience and biodiversity, disaster management and sustainable finance,” he stated.

Mr. Khoday has served with UNDP for 25 years, having coordinated over USD $1 billion in country programming to help partners and communities around the world advance inclusive and sustainable development pathways. This included tours of duty with UNDP Country Offices in China, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia and with UNDP’s regional offices for the Middle East and North Africa based in Egypt and Jordan. Prior to joining the UN, Mr. Khoday worked with government and community organizations in his home countries of Canada and India on issues of poverty reduction, ecological resilience, and community empowerment.

Mr. Khoday is a scientist and lawyer, holding a Juris Doctorate specializing in constitutional, international, and environmental law; a Master of Science in natural resource management focused on land and water systems, and a Bachelor of Science in agriculture specializing in biodiversity and ecological change. The UNDP Resident Representative is a frequent speaker at international conferences and policy dialogues on the development agenda and a recognized thought leader on strategic issues such as climate change, ecosystem resilience, constitutionalism, postcolonial and decolonial theory, and resilience-based approaches to development, having published extensively on these and other issues.

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Black Island Girl Relaunches with Expanded Features and Multimedia Focus

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Jael Josephs Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity

 

Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.

The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.

One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.

Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.

The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.

This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.

As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.

www.blackislandgirl.com

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Desalination Contract Signed for Cat Island

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From: Bahamas Information Services
September 14, 2024
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Signing of a Desalination Contract between the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. for two desalination plants for Cat Island, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
“With the signing of this Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Consolidated Water, we set in motion the design, construction, and operation of two desalination plant facilities in Cat Island – as you have heard, one at New Bight in the South, and the other at Bennett’s Harbour in the North,” he said.  He added that the agreement was a “much-welcomed extension” of the infrastructural upgrades he oversaw as Minister of Works and Utilities in 2016.  At that time, he noted, three million dollars’ worth of funding from the Caribbean Development Bank was put toward the installation of eleven miles of new water mains and about 300 service connections.
“Now, after four years of stagnancy during the previous administration, this government is continuing water upgrades through the ongoing Cat Island Road Paving and Public Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project,” Prime Minister Davis stated.  “Already, we have allocated over $32 million to install 95 miles of new water mains and 800 service connections in Cat Island.  I am pleased to share that these works are well underway, with final completion slated for early 2026.”
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

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PM Davis: Interpol Americas Regional Conference reflects the ‘critical need for a unified and strategic response to the growing complexities of transnational crime’

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the 26th Interpol Americas Regional Conference, on September 11, 2024, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said that it was a “distinct honour” to welcome participants and said that their assembly at the event in The Bahamas reflected the “critical need for a unified and strategic response to the growing complexities of transnational crime.”

“From organized criminal networks to cyber threats, human trafficking, and the illegal arms and drug trades, these challenges transcend borders, requiring solutions that are grounded in international cooperation,” Prime Minister Davis said, at the event held at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island.

He added:  “Interpol is a cornerstone in fostering these high-level partnerships, enabling law enforcement agencies to work seamlessly across jurisdictions. Through collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, we fortify our collective security framework. The strength of our partnerships lies not only in our shared commitment but also in the integration of our resources, expertise, and resolve to protect our citizens and secure our region.  It is this collective effort that will ensure we remain resilient in the face of evolving threats.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that, in the “rapidly changing world,” criminal networks were becoming more sophisticated and adaptable, making it essential that the approach to combating those threats evolved in tandem.

“No single nation can face these challenges alone,” he said.  “The need for a shared, coordinated response has never been more critical.”

“Our collective success depends on our ability to work together, pooling our resources, intelligence, and best practices,” he added.  “This shared approach strengthens our capacity to anticipate, prevent, and respond to criminal activities that threaten the safety and stability of our nations.

“By aligning our strategies and deepening our cooperation, we not only enhance our national security efforts but also contribute to the overall security of the region.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas recognized the importance of that collaboration.

“We have invested in advanced technology, reinforced our legal framework, and enhanced our law enforcement capabilities,” he said.

“However, these efforts are only as strong as the partnerships we build with our international counterparts. Our shared commitment to safeguarding our societies is what makes this conference, and our continued cooperation, so essential.

He added:  “While we often focus on the technical aspects of crime prevention — intelligence sharing, law enforcement strategies, and legal frameworks — it is essential that we never lose sight of the human cost. Behind every statistic lies the reality of individuals and families whose lives are disrupted or destroyed by the impact of crime. Whether it is human trafficking, drug smuggling, or violent crime, the human toll is profound, particularly in vulnerable communities.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that In the Caribbean and Latin America, they had seen firsthand how organized crime infiltrated societies, exploiting economic vulnerabilities and eroding social cohesion.

“The illicit activities we face not only undermine our economies but also compromise the very fabric of our communities,” he said.  “This makes it all the more important that we address not just the symptoms of crime but the root causes that allow these networks to thrive.”

“By strengthening our cooperation through Interpol, we not only enhance our ability to dismantle criminal networks but also to protect the most vulnerable among us,” he added. “Our shared commitment must extend beyond law enforcement; it must also focus on reducing the socioeconomic conditions that make our citizens susceptible to criminal exploitation. Addressing this human impact is key to ensuring lasting security and stability across our region.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that, as they all reflected on the discussions and collaborations during the conference, it was clear that the strength of their relationship had never been more important.

“The challenges we face are dynamic, but so too are the opportunities for deepening our ties and enhancing our collective security,” he said.  “This conference represents not just an exchange of ideas, but a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to a safer and more secure future for our nations.”

He added:  “Moving forward, it is vital that we continue to build on the progress made here. Our collaboration through Interpol must remain proactive, adaptive, and resilient. By reinforcing our partnerships and constantly evolving our strategies, we will be better equipped to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.”

Prime Minister Davis expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Interpol for its leadership and for facilitating those critical conversations.

“I also extend my heartfelt thanks to each delegate here for your ongoing dedication to the safety and security of our region,” he said.  “The outcomes of this conference will resonate far beyond these walls, shaping the future of our cooperative efforts in combating transnational crime.”

“Before we conclude, I warmly invite you to experience why ‘It’s Better in The Bahamas’,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “Take some time to enjoy our beautiful sun, sand, and sea, and discover the richness of Bahamian hospitality and culture.”

PHOTO CAPTION

Photos show official remarks being delivered at the 26th Interpol Americas Regional Conference, Atlantis Resort, September 11, 2024 by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander.     (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

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