NASSAU, The Bahamas – Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis addressed the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, July 18, 2018 indicating that his Government’s Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative is on track towards achieving sustainable development goals.

He addressed, specifically, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with respect to Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies at the UN headquarters in New York  City. 

He said in his presentation: “The Bahamas reiterates its commitment to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals into its National Planning processes,” and as a Small Island Developing State located in a volatile hurricane zone, The Bahamas identifies strongly with achieving sustainability and resilience.

The Prime Minister highlighted that The Bahamas has been made more resilient through having had to rebound after repeated thrashing by hurricanes.

He noted, since gaining Independence 45 years ago, The Bahamas has enjoyed a stable political climate and significant economic success: “We have witnessed a rise in life expectancy; attained widespread literacy; ensured greater access to preventative and curative healthcare; and expanded educational opportunities for all.”  Nevertheless, “the challenges remain. Approximately 12.5% of our population resides in poverty.”

He explained that economic opportunities and sound infrastructure are unevenly distributed, and that youth unemployment rates are consistently high. “There are still too many people without access to clean water piped to their homes.  Many face poor educational and health outcomes.  In a country surrounded by water and basking in sunlight, we have made insufficient progress in becoming considerably more energy efficient and coastally resilient.”

In this vein, he said the Government of The Bahamas is determined to move forward its national development agenda to enhance the quality of life for all in The Bahamas in a manner that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Accordingly, he shared that a major initiative launched by his government in 2017 -- the Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative --  is founded upon sustainability goals. 

The Over-the-Hill area over the years became disjointed through higher income residents moving out into newly-built suburbs.  The result has been many who remained, or who moved in, were left with dilapidated housing and struggling infrastructure; as well as crime, poverty, unemployment and other social ills.

“Nevertheless, the Over-the-Hill community was and remains an historic, proud area,” the Prime Minister said.

Affirming the foundation of sustainability in its restoration plan, the Prime Minister said, “The Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative seeks to improve the living conditions within this urban area,” and most of these initiatives the government has taken on -- including the commitment to provide water for all within this community by 2025 -- are in keeping with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.