THE BAHAMAS PARTICIPATES IN THE 4^TH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS, IN MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA

Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Perry Christie, has appointed the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Honourable Fred Mitchell, Head of Delegation to the Fourth Summit of the Americas, to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on the 4^th and 5^th of November 2005. 

The “Summits of the Americas” process brings together the Heads of State and Government of the Western Hemisphere to discuss common concerns, seek solutions and develop a shared vision for the economic, social and political development of the region.  

The First Summit of the Americas was held in Miami in 1994 and produced a Declaration of Principles and a Plan of Action signed by Heads of State and Government of the 34 members of the Organization of American States.  

One of the most significant initiatives to emerge from that Summit was the agreement to work towards creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). 

Other Summits have been held in Santiago, Chile and Quebec, Canada. 

In January, 2004, the Prime Minister led a delegation to a Special Summit in Monterrey, Mexico, the outcome of which was the Declaration of Nuevo Leon, which focused on economic growth and equity, social development, and democratic governance in the Hemisphere. 

The theme of this year’s Summit is “Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance”.   

Initiatives adopted at the Summit should hold great import for The Bahamas as it seeks not only to create job opportunities and ensure a decent standard of living for its populace but also to foster a more accountable and participatory form of governance.  

Other members of the delegation to the 4^th Summit are His Excellency, Joshua Sears, Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, Mr. Philip Miller, National Summit Coordinator and Foreign Affairs Under Secretary for Trade and Economic Affairs, Mr. Eugene Torchon-Newry, Alternate Representative to the Organization of American States and Mr. Terrence Archer, Protocol Officer.