Press Statement
Following The Bahamas’ distinction as the first country to officially sign the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2027–2031, Government, United Nations representatives, civil society, youth, academia and private sector partners gathered at Balmoral Resort on Friday, October 23, 2026, to focus on turning shared commitments into practical action.
Prime Minister the Honourable Philip Davis, KC, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu signed the framework on Monday, October 19, 2026, during Diplomatic Week. Belize and Antigua and Barbuda followed with signings later that week.
Coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office’s satellite office in The Bahamas, the UN Day Partnership Forum was held under the theme “From Signature to Action: Delivering the New Cooperation Framework Together for The Bahamas.”
The framework guides cooperation between the Government and the UN system over the next five years, supporting national priorities and progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Delivering keynote remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Davis, Her Excellency Ambassador Jerusa Léa Dean Ali, Director General of the Department of Foreign Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, emphasised the importance of the country’s partnership with the United Nations in advancing shared development goals.
Four priority areas shaped the forum’s discussions: economic diversification and inclusive economies; resilience to shocks; integrated social services; and resilience to crime and violence.
Among the participants were Government and civil society leaders whose daily work involves protecting children, preventing violence, empowering women and girls, supporting boys and young men, advocating for persons with disabilities and assisting families. They brought firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the people they serve, along with practical ideas for addressing them.
Through interactive World Café discussions, participants shared recommendations, identified gaps in support and explored opportunities for stronger collaboration. Their contributions helped connect the framework’s priorities with community needs, bringing valuable experience to discussions about how development commitments can produce meaningful outcomes.
Students of Akhepran International Academy also brought a youth perspective, contributing ideas to help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for The Bahamas.
The UN representatives included Dennis Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator; Michelle Brathwaite, of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); and Aneesah Abdullah, UN Country Coordination Officer for The Bahamas.
Also participating were Dr. Sasha Peiris and Dr. Anton Best, of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); Crispin Hall, of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); Deon Stewart, of the UN Development Programme-administered Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme; and Shelly Trimm, of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Jamaica.
They were joined by Saskia Carusi and Thereza Jatoba, of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); João Maya Cunha and Livia Cosenza, of OHCHR; and Bruno Husquinet, of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Their participation brought together expertise spanning human rights, public health, disaster risk reduction, refugee protection, community development and the needs of women and girls. The exchanges allowed national stakeholders to discuss the needs they encounter in their work directly with UN counterparts and fellow community leaders.
A central emphasis was the commitment to leave no one behind, including ensuring that older persons, persons with disabilities, Family Island communities and others at risk of exclusion are represented in development efforts.
The forum also provided opportunities to learn more about the work of UN agencies in The Bahamas and identify areas for closer collaboration. Recommendations and partnership commitments were intended to inform follow-up engagement and joint work planning under the new framework, with a focus on practical benefits for the people participants serve.
Held ahead of United Nations Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the forum marked the organisation’s 81st anniversary by focusing on the work ahead: strengthening partnerships that expand opportunities, protect rights and improve lives across The Bahamas.
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