Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[Mr. Secretary General, His Excellency Jose Miguel Insulza; Mr. Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin,] please accept my thanks for the kind and gracious words expressed in welcoming me to this important hemispheric body, the Organization of American States. I accept them on behalf of the government and people of The Bahamas. It is a great honour for me to serve as the Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to this distinguished political forum of the Americas.

Mr. Chairman,

The Bahamas joined the OAS in 1982, as the 31^st member of the Organization. At that time, we did so, believing that it was through our engagement in this body that we could collectively and effectively address issues of common concern to us in the Hemisphere.

We in The Bahamas recognized that increased hemispheric solidarity with countries whom we share history, culture and economic, social and political challenges was an undeniable benefit of membership.

Mr. Chairman,

The Bahamas is now celebrating 25 years of membership in the Organization and then as is now, The Bahamas is committed to ensuring that the fundamental principles and democratic values of this Organization remain strong.

In marking The Bahamas’ 25^th Anniversary in the OAS in March of this year, the Secretary-General "hailed the people and Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for standing shoulder to shoulder as a committed partner in the pursuit of democratic and development ideals."

Meanwhile, The Bahamas’ appreciates that its participation in the OAS allows us opportunities to advance our national and international interests and to strengthen our engagement with the Americas. However, just as important, we believe that the OAS is the foremost organisation for addressing the concerns of the hemisphere.

In this vein, I wish to take this opportunity to applaud the OAS for its leadership on a myriad of important issues from the promotion of democracy and human rights to hemispheric security, and sustainable development to health and gender issues. For example, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission since its inception in 1986, has responded to the challenges of the increase in drug trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs which pose a threat to individual citizens and to the security of our hemisphere through strengthening the capacities of its member states to reduce the production, trafficking and use and abuse of drugs in the Americas.

Since 2002, the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism has provided invaluable technical assistance and capacity building programs to assist OAS Member States to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism.

The establishment of civil registries, unknown in some countries has become a reality in our hemisphere, giving our peoples a sense of belonging and self-worth.

Additionally, the recent pledge of support to my Government and those of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, all victims of Tropical Storm Noel, is another testimony to the solidarity which exists among the members of the OAS.

Mr. Chairman,

The Bahamas further, lauds the OAS for continuing to provide support for enhancing the institutional capacity of member states in a wide range of areas through its various programmes and projects.

We recognise that this meaningful and constructive role depends on available resources. In this connection, the Government of The Bahamas has taken the decision to continue its contributions to the various peace initiatives undertaken by the Organization, including those in Colombia and Haiti and encourages other countries to consider pledging to these noteworthy activities aimed at securing peace in the region. The Bahamas is pleased to associate itself with these important measures.

The Bahamas, like many of our CARICOM neighbours attaches great importance to the OAS scholarship programme as hundreds of Bahamian students and government officials have benefited from the OAS technical cooperation programme. The Bahamas is committed to partnering with this hemispheric group of nations to meet the challenges which beset us in this area.

Mr. Chairman,

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the support of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Secretary-General and the staff of the OAS Secretariat to strengthen The Bahamas’ engagement within the OAS.

I want to assure you, Mr. Chairman, of my full support and that of my delegation and I look forward to working together with the Member states of this Organization to ensure that the goals and the objectives of the OAS are achieved.

I thank you.