FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas -- Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Fred Mitchell says Grand Bahama has defied the odds of lightning striking twice in the same place -- acknowledging that it has struck three times in the second city with this third hosting of Diplomatic Week, which begins on Monday, November 4, and will run through November 8, 2024.
The first time Diplomatic Week was held in Grand Bahama was in June of 2005 when Minister Mitchell was Chair of the CARICOM Foreign Ministers.The second time the International meeting was held in Grand Bahama was in April of 2016.
“This marks the third time that I am hosting a gathering of international diplomats and personalities in Freeport,” said Minister Mitchell, during an official church service to launch Diplomatic Week on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Freeport.
In attendance were members of the Bahamian and Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Corps.
“The reason we hold the meeting here is so that the international community can get to know this city. But more importantly to help support the people of Grand Bahama in what is a wonderful city and a great place to live.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister recalled several positive stories and feedback he received from visiting diplomats during the two years Diplomatic Week was held in Grand Bahama. He recounted an experience in 2005 by the then Foreign Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines who had heard about the beauty and friendliness of the residents of West End and took off on an adventure to West End on his own.
While there, according to Minister Mitchell, the Minister from St. Vincent came across some local men playing dominoes on the waterfront and joined the game and spent the entire evening in West End enjoying the Bahamian culture and fellowshipping with the people of West End.
There was also the experience of Philip Harmon, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom. After the meeting was over in 2016, he and his delegation sat outside the landing of their hotel enjoying the beauty of the islands and the warm weather.
“I remember asking them if they were going to bed,” said Minister Mitchell. “He said ‘no. I can’t believe this. There is no way at 10 p.m. at night at this time of the year, at this time of the day, that I’m able to do this in London. So, while I have the opportunity, we’re going to sit outside and enjoy this moment until it’s time to go to bed.’
“So, those are some of the memories that people take away when they come to this beautiful city. A city I love and hope to retire to one day.”
Minister Mitchell pointed out that the most recent Census of The Bahamas indicated that Grand Bahama had lost about 5,000 people since Hurricane Dorian, knocking down the island’s population to just about 45,000 people.
“I keep trying to encourage young Bahamians that Grand Bahama is the future of the country and to come here and to buy land,” said Minister Mitchell. “I keep trying to say that if we don’t invest in Grand Bahama, others certainly will. And that brings with it other issues.
“So that’s why we’re here. And we hope that since climate change is the number one issue charged to us by the Prime Minister in foreign policy, followed secondly by reparatory justice and slavery, that those who come for this meeting this week to join all of our diplomats who serve overseas, will go away with a story not only of official business being held, but with a commitment to climate justice and also to reparatory justice. We hope that they will carry with them fond memories of a beautiful city, a beautiful island and a beautiful country.”
Over the next four days, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps will engage in briefing sessions and dialogue with various stakeholders through the Government of The Bahamas, International Organizations, and bilateral partners.
(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
