The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas is pleased to inform the general public that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren A. Henfield, MP, received a call, Tuesday, 1^st February, 2021, by the newly appointed United States Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Mrs Usha E. Pitts, at the Ministry’s Headquarters. The Meeting served to reinforce the commitment of both Governments to strengthening cooperation across a broad array of areas of mutual interest. 

Present in the meeting from the US side, in addition to the Chargé d’Affaires, were Mr. Garrett Wilkerson, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Director/International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; and Mr. Daniel Villanueva, Political- Economic-Commercial Chief.  In addition to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, from the Bahamas side, were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr.  Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Director General, Ms Sharon Brennen-Haylock and other officials of the Ministry.  

Both sides addressed matters of bilateral interest, including the Biden-Harris administration’s immediate priorities, ongoing collaboration in the multilateral fora, cooperation to mitigate irregular migration, illicit narcotics trafficking, climate change, COVID-19, US travel advisories, border security, the US’ visa policy, and the pending appointment of a US Ambassador to The Bahamas.    

Minister Henfield also took the opportunity to convey congratulations to the newly elected Biden-Harris administration and to convey the appreciation of The Bahamas on its immediate priorities, in particular the focus of combatting COVID-19 and climate change. The Minister welcomed the US’s decision to return to the Paris Climate Agreement and to the World Health Organization, underscoring the stabilizing impact of the same on the global economy and environment. He further emphasized the need for equitable access to vaccinations as the world grapples with the challenge of controlling the pandemic, and inquired on the intention of the US Government to offer support to allied countries in that regard. 

Minister Henfield concluded by conveying to Chargé d’ Affaires Pitts best wishes for a successful tenure and The Bahamas’ hope for deepened cooperation during her tour of duty.