Officials tout significance of hosting Diplomatic Week in Grand Bahama

Officials tout significance of hosting Diplomatic Week in Grand Bahama

Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas -- The selection of Grand Bahama as the host site for Diplomatic Week, 2024, and its theme: "Climate, Trade and Culture" were most fitting considering the impact climate, trade and culture continue to have on the island, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, said Tuesday.

Minister Moxey said the 2024 theme further aligns with several key priorities of the Davis Administration, and the government's ongoing efforts to recover, rebuild, and revolutionize Grand Bahama, and the entire Bahamas. Ms. Moxey was addressing the Opening Session of Diplomatic Week, 2024, currently underway at the Grand Lucayan resort Convention Centre, Freeport, Grand Bahama. Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Edward Davis, K.C., delivered the Keynote Address.

Diplomats from across the Bahamian Diplomatic Diaspora are in Freeport attending to participate in the Week. Representation is from the USA, Canada, CARICOM, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados, Geneva, London, and China, in addition to visiting Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited by The Bahamas.

Statistics show that Grand Bahama has been impacted by more storms and/or hurricanes than any other island in The Bahamian chain since official records were undertaken in 1871. Some of the more memorable storms to impact the area include Betsy, Inez, David, Isidore, Floyd, Erin, Bertha, Mitch, Frances, Jeanne, Katrina, Wilma, Irene, Matthew, Irma, Isaias, and more recently Milton and Nicole.

The list also includes the monster, Category 5 Hurricane Dorian. An extremely powerful, deadly, and catastrophic tropical cyclone, Dorian became the most intense hurricane on record to strike The Bahamas. It is tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the strongest landfall in the Atlantic basin in terms of maximum sustained winds. West Grand Bahama, in particular, is among the three most impacted regions of The Bahamas, the others being Bimini and North Abaco.

On the positive side, Davis Administration officials are touting Grand Bahama "as the Gateway to the Caribbean and an island on an upward trajectory" as a result of a number of initiatives.

"On the climate front, we are recovering and rebuilding after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian," Minister Moxey told her audience, "and in the area of trade and culture, we are revolutionizing, as the Gateway to the Caribbean, with our Afro-Caribbean Marketplace and Logistics Centre.

"And thanks to the great work of this Administration, led by the Hon. Philip Edward "Brave" Davis, Grand Bahama is on the move! It is an island on an upward trajectory with over $2Billion in investments happening now!"

These investments, Ms. Moxey said, includes: the $665Million Grand Bahama Shipyard Project; the $600Million Celebration Key Cruise Port; the $80Million RCCL/MSC/ITM Cruise Port; the $100Million Liwathon (South Riding Point) Terminal and the $210Million Freeport Health Campus "just to name a few."

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jamahl Strachan, said the Week's theme reflected the "fundamental pillars" of the Davis Administration's Foreign Policy Agenda.

"It illustrates the interconnected nature of these global issues and their impact on the world we share, while recognizing the individual roles we play in partnership with each other," Parliamentary Secretary Strachan said during Tuesday's Opening Ceremony.

"Throughout this Week, we will examine innovative solutions to the urgent challenge of climate justice and analyze strategies for advocating on behalf of Small-Island Developing States. We will address critical issues, including climate finance, adaptation strategies, and the importance of international cooperation in mitigating the effects of climate change.

"Furthermore, we will reiterate The Bahamas' steadfast commitment to sustainable trade and investment, emphasizing the significant prospects for mutually beneficial partnerships and economic diversification. We will explore sectors poised for substantial growth, such as renewable energy sustainable tourism, and financial services. We will also discuss how to strengthen trade partnerships, reduce barriers to international trade, and foster a more favourable investment climate."

Mr. Strachan said Diplomatic Week -- now in its tenth edition -- serves as a cornerstone of The Bahamas' engagement with the international community that provides an "unparalleled forum for advancing diplomatic ties and advancing our shared objectives."

"Through these established channels of communication, we can enhance our understanding of mutual priorities, identify key areas of collaboration, and cultivate the trust necessary for effective international partnership.

"Finally, we will celebrate the rich and vibrant tapestry of Bahamian culture, recognizing the power of cultural exchange to nurture deeper understanding and mutual respect. We will proudly present the dynamic traditions and artistic expressions that define our unique Bahamian identity. The Ministry firmly believes that cultural exchange is not merely enriching, it is essential for building bridges between nations."

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the visiting diplomats -- Ambassadors and High Commissioners -- accredited by The Bahamas, that their presence was "a testament to the strength of our diplomatic relationships and the shared values that unite us."

"As representatives of nations across the globe, you bring an abundance of experience and invaluable expertise, as well as cultural insights. Your input will be essential as we collectively address the opportunities before us. Your distinguished presence here today is a testament to the strength of our diplomatic relationships and the shared values that unite us. We are eager to collaborate with you in pursuit of our common objectives.

"We are confident that this year's Diplomatic Week will be a highly productive and fruitful endeavor, paving the way for an even greater cooperation among nations for a healthier and more sustainable planet in the years to come," Parliamentary Secretary Strachan added.

Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Jamahl Strachan

Among other exhibits at 'Diplomatic Week' - Tourism's promotion of Grand Bahama Island