Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham will travel to New York to deliver The Bahamas Statement to the United Nations General Assembly. This is the Prime Minister’s fourth address before the world body.
The last time that a Bahamian Prime Minister addressed the world body was in June, 2001 when Mr. Ingraham addressed a Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS.
Prime Minister Ingraham also addressed the world body in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, and in 1998 at a Special Session of the General Assembly on Drugs.
While in New York the Prime Minister will also participate in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) High Level Event and the Clinton Global Initiative.
The MDG High Level Event has been convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations to provide an opportunity for member states of the United Nations to review progress made in achieving MDGs in education and health, and in forging a partnership for development and environmental sustainability as agreed by world leaders in 2000.
The Clinton Global Initiative which meets annually in New York during September, brings together Heads of State and Governments, business executives, scholars and heads of non-profit organizations and foundations aiming to bring focussed attention and relief to health and education challenges and to foster poverty alleviation and environmental stewardship around the globe.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette will also travel to New York, and is scheduled to attend the 24th Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting, a Special Heads of Government Meeting and the 32nd Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the 77 States and China; a regular meeting held during the General Assembly.
The Deputy Prime Minister will also participate in a meeting of Caricom Heads of Government with US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
Mrs. Delores Ingraham, currently in New York as part of the UN meetings, took part in an Education Symposium hosted by the wife of the UN Secretary General and United States First Lady Laura Bush on Monday. Mrs. Ingraham is also scheduled to participate in a symposium on Autism during the visit.
Prime Minister Ingraham and his delegation are scheduled to depart Nassau on Wednesday, September 24 and return to Nassau on Saturday, September 27.
Minister of National Security the Hon. Tommy Turnquest will act as Prime Minister and State Minister for Finance the Hon. Zhivargo Laing will act as Minister of Finance during the Prime Minister’s absence.