Nassau, The Bahamas | Might 24, 2022
America Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Ambassador Brian A. Nichols visited The Bahamas on Might 22-24. His go to emphasised the excessive precedence of The Bahamas inside the area, and the significance of the enduring partnership between the USA and The Bahamas. Assistant Secretary Nichols mentioned the concrete steps that can handle Bahamian priorities akin to bettering entry to healthcare, combatting local weather change and growing entry to the web on the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, June 6-10.
Assistant Secretary Nichols met with Prime Minister the Honorable Philip “Courageous” Davis in Nassau. Along with Appearing International Minister Alfred Sears, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts, and U.S. Director for Caribbean Affairs Nan Fife, they mentioned key components of the U.S.-Bahamas partnership, together with shared safety, mitigating the consequences of local weather change, addressing regional migration, and supporting financial prosperity. His total itinerary mirrored these priorities.
“We aren’t simply buddies, we’re kin,” stated Assistant Secretary Nichols whereas chatting with reporters simply earlier than departing for his subsequent cease in Barbados. Nichols added, “We anticipate that to proceed far into the longer term, and I anticipate that The Bahamas and the USA relationship will solely develop nearer and higher because the years go on.”
Assistant Secretary Nichols visited the New Windfall Ecology Park (NPEP) on Tuesday, Might 24, one in every of a number of local weather resilience investments the USA helps in The Bahamas. As a low-lying small island nation, The Bahamas will bear the brunt of the consequences of local weather change, as sea ranges rise and excessive climate occasions develop into extra frequent and intense. America will work with The Bahamas to help initiatives that decrease The Bahamas’ carbon footprint and improve resilience to the consequences of local weather change.
Additionally on Might 24, Assistant Secretary Nichols visited the Royal Bahamas Defence Pressure base in Coral Harbour. He toured the various lasting investments the USA has made in its shared safety partnership with The Bahamas. He rode on one of many three boats U.S. Northern Command offered to The Bahamas in 2021 as a part of a $5.9 million greenback donation that included a $2.5 million greenback radar system that helps The Bahamas safe its huge maritime area.
Assistant Secretary Nichols additionally met with key monetary officers, improvement consultants, and enterprise leaders throughout his go to, exploring how the USA contributes to financial development and improvement in The Bahamas and helps elevated U.S. funding within the Bahamian economic system.
Lastly, Assistant Secretary Nichols visited one of many Embassy’s companions addressing the wants of native underserved populations at an area Studying Heart. He met with educators striving to help a few of New Windfall’s most susceptible populations by offering preschool by grade 5 instruction.
