Bahamas paranoma

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SAMOA Pathway recognized the specific challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and their particular vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The 2030 Agenda pledges to "Leave No One Behind" and calls for special attention to SIDS as they face unique vulnerabilities in their sustainable development. Several countries among SIDS have started to implement the SDGs by adapting the targets to their national situation and reviewing their policies and institutional frameworks. Meaningful partnerships are also being established among stakeholders at all levels to leverage on opportunities for the effective implementation of the SDGs.

The Government of the Bahamas, with the support of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, organized a Symposium in February 2016 on “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SAMOA Pathway in Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Equipping public institutions and mobilizing partnerships”.

The Symposium reflected on how SIDS can integrate the 2030 Agenda and the SAMOA Pathway in national planning, policies, strategies and public institutions. The Symposium also placed a special focus on how best to equip public institutions and mobilize partnerships and cooperation for realizing the 2030 Agenda and will discuss options and innovative solutions for planning and policy making.

The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Symposium on "Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SAMOA Pathway in Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Equipping Public Institutions and Mobilizing Partnerships" was held on 21-23 February 2017. It was hosted by the Government of the Bahamas and supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The Symposium showed that many SIDS are rapidly moving ahead with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SAMOA Pathway. Participants shared insights on how they have adapted the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to their national situation and priorities and incorporated them in their development plans and policies. It was found that developing and implementing integrated policies for realizing the SDGs is a difficult exercise. Various kinds of institutional arrangements can support this process and improve coordination. But realizing the SDGs is ultimately about changing mindsets. Sensitizing and training public servants was also found to be very important. The symposium also recommended that UN Member States commit to including the SDGs in education curriculums at all levels.

The Symposium was opened by The Right Honourable Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, and Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. It was well attended by ministers and high-level officials from 40 over SIDS and other countries. A total of about 250 international and local participants contributed to the overarching focus of the Symposium - “equipping public institutions and mobilizing partnerships”, with five thematic sessions surrounding topics of integrated implementation, institutions, mobilizing ICTS, monitoring and reviewing, and partnerships. The Symposium was conducted through dialogues and interactions among governments and various stakeholders from the civil society, private sector, international and regional organizations and close to 20 UN entities, through a mix of breakout discussions, show-and-tells, flash presentations, and plenary round-tables. Read more.

Following the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Symposium, held on 21-23 February 2017 in Nassau, The Bahamas on “Equipping public institutions and mobilizing partnerships”, the host country and DESA would like to thank all of you for the great discussion and engagement during the meeting. An informal communiqué emanating from the dialogues and discussions at the Symposium is now available for public comments. The informal communiqué will inform the meetings of the UN oceans conference, high-level political forum on sustainable development, UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration

There are 5 thematic sessions:

  • Integrated plans and policies for realizing the 2030 Agenda and the SAMOA Pathway
  • Effective, accountable and inclusive institutions to realize our commitments
  • Effective Partnerships for implementing the SDGs
  • Mobilizing ICTs and e-government for delivering on the SDGs and SAMOA
  • Reviewing progress and building statistical capacities


Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an island state between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea consisting of 700 islands. English is the official language. Its capital, Nassau, is also the largest city. It is the political and commercial hub of the country, also housing government buildings and the Bahamian Parliament.

Airport: The main airport in Nassau is “Lynden Pindling International Airport” (formerly Nassau International Airport), located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the city. Visas (if needed) can be obtained from the Bahamian Consulate near you. Please click here for VISA requirements for persons attending UN Symposium. Please click here to visit the conference website for more information regarding travel.

Hotels: There are many hotels located in Nassau, and many have a beachfront view where you can relax and enjoy the sun when you’re not exploring the city. Some of these hotels include: Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, Sandyport Beach Resort, Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas, British Colonial Hilton Nassau, and the Atlantis Paradise Island.

Transportation: Please complete this form to request transportation to and from the airport, hotel and conference centre.

The weather in the Bahamas is tropical and warm year-round. The average high temperature in February is 23°C (73°F) and the average low is 17.3°C (63.1°F). The currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), however the US dollar is widely accepted. The time zone is EST (UTC−5).

Partnerships

One theme of the Bahamas Symposium is "Effective Partnerships for Implementing the SDGs and SAMOA Pathway". The Symposium aims to take stock of existing partnerships; generate new partnerships; discuss the challenges and capacity gaps faced by public administrations in engaging in new partnerships; as well as review progress in promoting and overseeing SIDS partnerships at the international level.

Click here to register or announce your partnerships and commitments at the Bahamas Symposium

Registration

  • Registration for this event is now closed

Contact

United Nations:

Mr. Juwang Zhu
Director
Division for Sustainable Development, UNDESA

Ms. Marion Barthélemy
Director
Division for Public Administration and Development Management, UNDESA

Ms. Irena Zubcevic
Chief, Small island developing States, oceans and climate
Division for sustainable development, UNDESA

Mr. Wai Min Kwok
Governance and Public Administration Officer
Division for Public Administration and Development Management, UNDESA
Telephone: + 1 917-367-3026
Email: kwok@un.org

Mr. Said Maalouf
Division for Public Administration and Development Management, UNDESA
Telephone: + 1 917-367-2424
Email: maaloufs@un.org

The Bahamas Government:

Ms. Nicola Virgill-Rolle
Director of Economic Development and Planning
Office of the Prime Minister
The Bahamas
Telephone: +1 242-702-5565
Email: NICOLAROLLE@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS

Ms. Denise Hinds-Jordan
National Development Plan
Office of the Prime Minister
The Bahamas
Telephone: +1 242-702-5563
Email: DENISEHINDSJORDAN@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS