His Excellency Arthur D Hanna, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will host the 13th Annual Conference of Presidents and Governors General of the Caribbean Community at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, October 6-9.
His Excellency will deliver the keynote address when the conference starts at 9a.m. Monday. The Rt. Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, will also address the opening ceremony.
This will mark the second time that The Bahamas has hosted the conference, with the first being held in 1997 under the auspices of the then Governor General, His Excellency Sir Orville Turnquest.
The conference, which is an annual event began in 1994 and was last hosted by The Commonwealth of Dominica.
The purpose of the conference is to provide a forum for discussion on issues affecting societies within the region. It also provides an opportunity to assess and exchange best practices relevant to these issues within the respective countries.
The theme for this year’s conclave is “Rebuilding Societies” and presentations will be made by six outstanding Bahamian professionals: Dr Gail Saunders, Mrs. Missouri Sherman-Peter, Mr. Peter Pratt, Dr Robin Roberts, Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson and Mrs. Patricia Glinton-Meicholas.
Representatives from 10 countries are scheduled to participate in the conference.: the Presidents of Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago and the Governors General of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
During the conference, spouses will participate in a culturally enriched social programme. Activities will include a visit to the Ranfurly Home for Children, Nettie’s Different of Nassau Museum and they will pay a courtesy call on the President of the College of The Bahamas.
Delegates will be afforded opportunities to enjoy the rich culture of The Bahamas via performances by the National Children’s Choir, the National Youth Choir, the Region Bells, Chippie and the Boys and a special “Changing of the Guard” at Government House.
The week will culminate with a visit to Grand Bahama, where delegates will visit several business establishments including the Container Port, a tour of the city of Freeport and other places of interest.