ST. GEORGE’S GRENADA – The Bahamas is joining a coalition of Caribbean Small Island Developing States, that committed to restoring landscapes and securing a resilient agricultural future, by tackling land degradation and drought. The Bahamas is one of six new countries scheduled to benefit from the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) multi-country soil management initiative for Integrated Landscape Restoration and climate-resilient food systems (SOILCARE), Phase II, implemented by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM).

SOILCARE Phase I has been helping adopt policies, measures and best practices and support review of legal and institutional frameworks to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality LDN and Climate Resilience.

As PISLM prepares to launch Phase II of its flagship regional project, adding six new countries, two consultation sessions were completed on 3^rd and 4^th June by PISLM’s Sustainable Land Management Specialist Dr. Ronen Francis.

Project updates were present to the Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD IN the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands and Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas.

This project will seek to assist the country in upgrading its National Soil Laboratories through provision of modern equipment, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training of technicians. It will also help the Bahamas, to develop Digital Soil Maps, develop their national drought risk plans, including improved drought management, Cat Island. It will also support a youth agri-business programme that will foster youth-led innovation and align with the CARICOM 25×25 vision.

This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Allocated funding is$17.9 million USD and $26.5 million USD in co-financing, by regional Governments, including the Bahamas.

Photo Caption:

Photo 1 Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands Daniell, Ms. Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas and Dr. Ronen Francis-PISLM.

Brasília, Brazil – Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with Brazil and the country’s entry into the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, following his participation in the Brazil–Caribbean Summit held in Brasília on June 14. The summit brought together leaders from CARICOM, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and key regional bodies to address pressing development challenges and renew economic and diplomatic ties with South America’s largest economy.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of these developments for the Bahamian people: “We signed a key agreement with Brazil to work together on food security, education, disaster management, and climate resilience. The Bahamas also joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — unlocking new resources to fight poverty and tackle inequality.”

The Brazil–Caribbean Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a revitalization of Brazil’s engagement with the Caribbean after years of declining trade and limited collaboration. Trade between Brazil and the Caribbean region has dropped from $6 billion in 2010 to $4 billion in 2024, with most economic activity concentrated in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. This summit aimed to reverse that trend by fostering stronger cooperation on sustainable development goals, energy transitions, and disaster preparedness.

A key communique issued at the close of the summit underscored the joint commitment of participating nations to clean and inclusive energy transitions. “We recognize the urgent need to promote clean, sustainable, fair, affordable and inclusive energy transitions…with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century,” the statement read. The leaders also called for increased financing mechanisms and international support to ensure developing nations can pursue these goals effectively.

The Bahamas’ inclusion in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a significant step forward in its efforts to build resilience and reduce socio-economic disparities. The Alliance, launched under Brazil’s G20 presidency and officially adopted by G20 nations in July 2024, is focused on achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals — the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) — while also addressing inequalities (SDG 10). Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded successful national programs and fostered international cooperation through high-level summits and a champions council to guide its implementation.

Brazil has seen notable benefits from spearheading the initiative, including increased global recognition and strong support from leaders such as World Bank President Ajay Banga. The country has also used the platform to scale up its own social programs and promote the human right to nutritious food and dignified living conditions.

For The Bahamas, Davis emphasized that these partnerships will bring practical advantages: “For us, partnerships like these mean greater access to expertise and innovation — lowering costs for families, strengthening our resilience, and driving national development.”

The summit also addressed wider regional concerns, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Leaders expressed “deep concern” over the multidimensional challenges facing the Haitian people and affirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s path to stability.                                                                                                                                                                        The participation of CARICOM leaders such as Guyanese President Irfaan Ali further underscored the importance of regional collaboration in meeting shared challenges. Discussions included scaling up investment for energy transition and disaster management infrastructure, areas of increasing urgency for climate-vulnerable Caribbean nations.

With its new commitments, The Bahamas joins a growing coalition of nations aligning development efforts with global best practices and collaborative frameworks. As climate risks intensify and inequality persists, these initiatives mark a shift toward proactive, cooperative strategies designed to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Guyana, June 20, 2025 – Early childhood centres in five regions across Guyana are set to enhance their facilities, thanks to a $200,000 grant from the government aimed at improving childcare standards nationwide.

Among the beneficiaries is the Atikali Learning Lab, located in Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Although it opened less than a year ago, it is looked at as a model of innovation and care in early childhood education.

The institution has stood as a pioneering Early Childhood Education and Development Institution, nurturing a safe and innovative learning environment for children aged between 15 months and five years.

The Early Childhood facility offers a STEM-based, play-based programme, with outdoor education and exploration making up a significant part of their curriculum.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke with the Founder and Managing Director, Quenita Walrond, who explained that the grant will be used to expand the outdoor classrooms to ensure the children have a better space where they can learn and thrive.

Walrond expressed her gratitude for the initiative. She pointed out that although her institution is fairly new, this government support will enhance the services provided by the centre.

Similarly, Helen DaSilva Thompson, founder of Young Scholars Academy located in Region Two, was emotional upon receiving the grant.

Thompson noted that the grant will aid in the completion of the outdoor space for the children of her institution, a project that had already started but remained incomplete due to a lack of resources.

“This is a big step for us as the owners of a private school. I was always asking about this through my supervisors,” Thompson said, as she expressed her elation for being selected as a beneficiary.

Meanwhile, Taneka Sanchara, owner of Unique’s Daycare, Pre-School, and Nursery located in Region Three, plans to utilise the grant to purchase recreational equipment for the children.

The equipment will be installed in the newly upgraded school’s playground. This additional investment will enhance the quality of early childhood education at Unique’s Daycare.

These centres are among ten institutions in Regions Two, Three, Four, Six and Ten that have displayed excellent childcare services and were recipients of the $200,000 grant.

The initiative was also designed to assist the facilities in enhancing their childcare services while improving their standards for children to receive the best possible care in their formative years.

This grant was presented to the owners of the various institutions by Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud last Wednesday during the observation of International Day of Play.

Dr Persaud said her ministry will continue to extend this initiative to every childcare centre across the country until a level of excellence in service and human resources is achieved.

“Those centres will not only receive the grant, they will be nurtured and they will be guided by our team from the Child Care and Protection Agency until they can achieve excellence,” she said.

The minister further said the initiative “is a necessary investment and one that is so welcomed by every one of us because we want our children at all times to be safe and secure.”