NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis left the country on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 for New York to address the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

During the Ministerial sessions on Wednesday, the Prime Minister intends to reaffirm The Bahamas’ commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and in this regard will refer to the work being done through the Over-the-Hill Development Partnership Initiative.

The UN focuses on the eradication of poverty and hunger; ensuring that there is water and sanitation for all; making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The Over-the-Hill initiative is an example of The Bahamas’ address of these issues.

The Prime Minister expects to hold Bilateral Meetings with the head of Singapore’s delegation to the UN to discuss matters that arose at a previous meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore on the proposed digital transformation of The Bahamas.

The Prime Minister’s schedule also includes a Courtesy Call on His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations. They are expected to engage in discussions on how the UN can assist The Bahamas through developmental grant that may be available. 

The Prime Minister will serve as Patron at a special reception commemorating the 45^th Anniversary of Bahamas Independence, for Bahamians in the New York area.

His delegation comprises Aide, Inspector Edgar Kemp; Yontalay Bowe, Personal Assistant and Photographer; and Viana Gardiner, Chief Operating Officer, Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit who are all to return home Thursday, July 19.

His Advance Team of Dr. Nicola Virgill-Rolle, Director of Economic Development and Planning/Office of the Prime Minister, and Matthew Aubry, representative of Civil Society, arrived in New York on July 16 and are to return home July 19.   Shanell Moss, Statistician, Office of the Prime Minister, was in New York from July 10 to 16.