President Lula,
Colleagues, Esteemed Representatives of International and Regional Institutions,
Good morning.
We come together today through the generosity of our Brazilian hosts, and I wish to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to President Lula for your vision in bringing us here.
As postcolonial nations south of power, we nevertheless find ourselves north of innovation.
Today, Brazil and the Caribbean stand poised to transform longstanding friendship into actionable results for the people of our region.
I am especially appreciative of the recent visit of Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to Nassau in January. That visit marked a significant milestone in our bilateral relations, culminating in the signing of an Education Cooperation Agreement between The Bahamas and Brazil. This agreement will serve as a catalyst for a deeper partnership in education, scientific research, and the training of professionals, thereby enriching both our nations’ academic and cultural landscapes.
Brazil has long demonstrated its commitment to partnership with The Bahamas and the Caribbean. We recall with respect that in 2005, President Lula became the first Brazilian leader to attend a CARICOM Heads of Government Summit. Last year, we were honoured to welcome him back to our regional gathering.
Brazil is not only a valued neighbour but also a vital ally on matters of climate change, investment, and technical cooperation.
It is through such purposeful collaboration that regionalism and multilateralism become the engines driving progress, stability, and opportunity across the Americas.
The Caribbean and Brazil share a vision of a region defined by peace, stability, opportunity, and mutual respect.
We must continue to champion Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
I am pleased to recognise the participation and support from Republic of Cuba and the Dominican Republic in this forum. The Bahamas is here to be a partner of CARICOM and the greater Caribbean, as is Brazil. We cannot exclude anyone from this partnership. This is an inclusive region and we are here to support an inclusive dialogue between and amongst us.
Furthermore, allow me to commend Brazil for ensuring that the Republic of Haiti is well-represented by the political, social, and security outputs of this summit.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for Haiti and the Multinational Security Support Mission, recognising that our communal security is indivisible.
Our experience in the Caribbean demonstrates the necessity of timely, united action. Yet, as we strengthen our regional bonds, we must also confront the limitations of global governance.
Recent events have revealed troubling gaps at that international level, where the United Nations Security Council’s inaction has eroded trust in the very institutions designed to safeguard peace.
Brazil’s principled leadership during its recent presidency of the Security Council served to underscore the urgent need for reform and greater effectiveness within our multilateral institutions.
In the same spirit of responsibility, The Bahamas has presented its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term 2032 to 2033.
If elected, we shall be a steadfast advocate for small states, for reform, and for the prioritisation of civilian protection over narrow interests. The world cannot afford international legal exceptionalism and continued paralysis when human lives hang in the balance.
This conviction — that unity and decisive action are indispensable — guides our response to the most pressing global challenges of our time. No single nation can address the interconnected threats of climate change, food insecurity, or energy transition in isolation.
The Bahamas is acutely aware of the existential risks posed by climate change. Our country consistently ranks among the most vulnerable in the world. Hurricane Dorian inflicted losses equivalent to one quarter of our national GDP. More than half of our sovereign debt is directly linked to hurricanes and natural disasters.
Nevertheless, we have chosen to lead by example. The Bahamas is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by thirty percent by 2030, achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and generating at least thirty percent of our energy from renewable sources within five years. Through innovative debt-for-nature swaps, we have secured one hundred twenty-four million dollars for marine conservation, enabling the protection of nearly seventy percent of our nearshore environment.
As we look ahead to COP30 in Belém, our expectations are clear. This must be the conference where pledges are fulfilled, and “implementation” becomes the word to watch.
Developed countries must honour their commitments regarding climate finance, adaptation, and technology transfer. We support Brazil’s call for enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions and commend the launch of initiatives such as the Rainforests Forever Fund and the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
The Bahamas is proud to have acceded to the Escazú Agreement, becoming the ninth CARICOM Member State and the eighteenth in the region to do so. This accession reaffirms our dedication to environmental democracy, transparency, and the right of every citizen to a safe and healthy environment.
Our cooperation with Brazil and the wider region is rooted in practical action. We draw on Brazil’s expertise to strengthen food security and improve disaster response through CDEMA.
We recognize the urgency of removing barriers, physical and digital alike. Those that restrict trade, limit mobility, and retard regional integration.
Such regional partnerships have a direct impact on national well-being, reminding us why international engagement remains essential to our mandate as leaders.
Through active participation on the world stage, we deliver practical outcomes back home. Reducing the cost of living, strengthening our ability to respond to crises, modernising our infrastructure, and opening new doors for Bahamians.
Brazil and The Bahamas share a vision for this hemisphere: where solidarity translates into progress for our nations. By working together with our Caribbean allies, we can deliver solutions that will be measured not only in policy, but in the daily lives and futures of our people.
Thank you.