The 29th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) and the 57th Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers were held in Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname, from 20 to 22 May 2026. The meetings were chaired by His Excellency Melvin Bouva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname.
The meetings served as an important platform for dialogue and collaboration on foreign policy matters of strategic significance to The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean Community. Discussions focused on strengthening the coordination of foreign policy in response to evolving geopolitical dynamics. Ministers also engaged with special guests from Japan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, and explored opportunities to strengthen extra-regional partnerships, including CARICOM–African Union relations.
The Hon. Fred Mitchell participated virtually and was warmly welcomed by his fellow Ministers, who congratulated him on his second term in government and fourth term as Foreign Minister. H.E. Jerusa Ali, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the in-person meetings, including a retreat held at a former coffee plantation within the 700-acre Peperpot Nature Park along the Suriname River — a setting that highlighted Suriname’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. Bilateral meetings were held with Singapore, Barbados, Haiti, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, and CARICOM Assistant Secretary General Elizabeth Solomon.
Informal meetings were also held with representatives from Suriname, Japan, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms The Bahamas’ commitment to advancing regional cooperation; strengthening regional and bilateral partnerships; enhancing regional security and humanitarian response capacity; and promoting sustainable development and resilience throughout the Caribbean Community.
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