The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net 

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis reaffirmed The Bahamas’ position on Cuba during his Diplomatic Week opening address at the Grand Lucayan Resort, calling for an end to the trade embargo restricting economic exchange with the island nation.

He said that the time for embargoes has passed and urged the removal of trade barriers, emphasising the need for regional prosperity.

“The shackles that hold back free exchange must be lifted, for they serve only to hinder progress and prosperity in our shared sea,” Mr Davis said. “We call upon the world to remove this barrier, to allow Cuba the dignity of engagement and the promise of opportunity. Let our waters flow with trade, ideas, and friendship, for only through connection shall our region thrive.”

 Mr Davis’s remarks also covered climate justice, trade, and cultural pride, setting the stage for this year’s event, the first to be hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freeport. The theme, “Climate, Trade, and Cultural Diplomacy,” brought focus to pressing issues facing The Bahamas.

 Addressing a large contingent of diplomats, Mr Davis highlighted the urgent impact of climate change on small island nations like The Bahamas, whose sovereignty is at stake. He called for accountability from nations most responsible for environmental degradation.

 “The International Court of Justice is now poised to deliver an advisory opinion on climate change — a ruling that we believe will echo across borders and demand accountability,” he said.

 “This is not about treaties and pledges; it is about moral reckoning, an acknowledgment that those who have sown the seeds of destruction must also reap the responsibility to repair.”

 In the struggle for climate justice, Mr Davis stressed that The Bahamas stands as a voice for the vulnerable, seeking to secure the lives and futures of Bahamians.

  “We fight for a world where those responsible for this crisis answer for the loss and damages felt by those who contributed least to its cause,” he said. “Thus, we turn to the law, seeking justice from the very courts that stand as guardians of humanity’s conscience.”

“For too long, our islands and countless others have borne the burden of ‘loss and damage’ inflicted by climate change: land eroded, homes destroyed, livelihoods swept away in storms more violent, more frequent than any our ancestors could have foreseen.”

 Mr Davis urged the country’s diplomats also to be climate advocates.

 “As ambassadors, you are called not only to advocate, but to educate — to speak plainly of the impacts we face and to rally the world toward action,” he said.

 “Through diplomacy, we insist that The Bahamas and all small island nations shall not be mere bystanders, but leaders in crafting a sustainable and equitable future.

 “Let it be known: The Bahamas will not be a silent spectator in this struggle. We are neither large in land nor might, but we are bound by an unyielding resolve. We will wield the law as our shield and justice as our sword, joining hands with other nations who refuse to be casualties of indifference.”

 On the matter of trade, the prime minister admitted that the country has depended “on a narrow set of industries for a long time.”

 The Office of the Prime Minister is taking on this challenge, he said, by opening new pathways for Bahamian businesses through export, manufacturing, or tech-driven enterprise.

 “Through the National Trade Policy and Vision 2040, we are paving the way for trade to be inclusive and transformative, driving both local economic growth and foreign partnerships. We are identifying markets, building capacity, and dismantling the structural barriers that have kept our economy anchored in a narrow space,” said Mr Davis.

 He noted that this includes efforts to expand Freeport as a free trade zone, foster export-oriented industries, and strategically reduce tariffs to make Bahamian products more competitive abroad.

 Mr Davis told diplomats they must ensure The Bahamas is seen as a “reliable and innovative partner for businesses worldwide.”

 “As we look toward Freeport and other emerging trade zones, we see a vision where Bahamian ports become bustling hubs of international commerce, where local businesses and foreign investors alike benefit from our strategic location,” he said.

 According to the prime minister, The Bahamas is establishing an office in the United Arab Emirates to lay the groundwork for strategic economic cooperation in the Middle East.

 In Africa and the Middle East, he said the foreign policy is focused on partnerships that drive economic, technological, and political collaboration.

 The government will be expanding its diplomatic presence on the African continent to strengthen ties in trade, technology, and development, Mr Davis said.

 Speaking about the current struggles in Haiti, he said The Bahamas stands ready to support Haiti’s path to stability and peace.

 “By building closer ties with South Pacific nations, The Bahamas aims to enhance cooperation in these critical areas, fostering partnerships that will support both our immediate needs and our long-term stability,” he added.

 On the matter of culture, he expressed the country’s pride in Bahamians who have achieved international recognition and success in various genres, including dance, sport, music, and art.

 He noted that Bahamians, such as Tavares Strachan, Courtney C. Spears, Buddy Hield, Jonquel Jones, Jazz Chisholm, Lenny Kravitz, Amos Ferguson, and Jeffrey Meris represent the country and carry Bahamian pride.

 “Through their achievements, The Bahamas proclaims to the world that we are not merely a destination, but a nation rich in talent, spirit, and ambition,” he said.

 “Our cultural ambassadors do not just perform — they embody our resilience, our pride, and our unwavering belief in who we are,” he said.

 “We are a small island nation, yet we stride with giants. Our diplomats, our athletes, our artists — each of you carries this legacy forward, bearing the weight of our dreams and the fire of our convictions,” he said.

 Minister for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for Pineridge Ginger Moxey brought brief welcome remarks; Jamahl Strachan, MP for Nassau Village and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the Statement of Purpose. The St George’s High School Pop Band performed a cultural presentation.