THE WORK OF THE MISSIONS ABROAD
The United Nations
NEW YORK — H.E. Dr. Elliston Rahming, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, hosts the UN President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, at a meeting of the CARICOM Caucus on Friday, December 2, 2016. Mr. Thomson briefed the Caucus on his recent activities in his capacity as PGA, including his priority mandate: the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and preparations for the upcoming Global Conference on Oceans scheduled to be held in June 2017 in New York.
Washington D C
WASHINGTON, D.C. — His Excellency Dr. Eugene Newry, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, signed the Book of Condolences at the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica, 2114 S Street, N.W., on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, in commemoration of the victims of Hurricane Otto, which battered the Northern Zone of Costa Rica on November 24, 2016. Ambassador Newry is pictured signing the Book of Condolences and in the second picture with Ms. Alejandra Solano, Deputy Chief of Mission/Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Costa Rica.
Washington D C
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Organization of American States (OAS) has made a contribution of $25,000 to The Bahamas to assist with recovery efforts from the massive damages caused by Hurricane Matthew early in October.
His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations and Permanent Representative to the OAS, was presented with a cheque by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez on Thursday, December 1, 2016, in the Assistant Secretary General’s office at OAS main building at 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Declaring that the OAS is committed to responding to the needs of member states as they arise, Mr. Mendez noted that “these needs are particularly evident after a natural disaster.”
“Unfortunately, over the last few years we have seen an increase in frequency and intensity of these disasters, in particular those associated with climate change,” the OAS Assistant Secretary General said. “In fact, the 2016 Hurricane Season ended yesterday, November 30, and it has been documented as the most active in four years, having accumulated a total of 15 named storms, which included seven Hurricanes. It is clear that we will continue to face these challenges, and that our organization will need to prepare to respond in more substantive ways than hitherto.”
Mr. Mendez said he was pleased to present Ambassador Rahming with “a small contribution from the OAS Emergency Fund (FONDEM) to assist in the recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through the Caribbean region, where it impacted several OAS member states, including The Bahamas.”
“Although the contribution is small, it is nonetheless a clear reaffirmation of our commitment to respond to member states even in the face of our emaciated resources,” Mr. Mendez said.
In accepting the cheque, Ambassador Rahming, who initiated the request for assistance following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through The Bahamas, thanked the OAS “for this great donation” and assured Mr. Mendez that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in The Bahamas will put it to good use.
The cheque presentation was followed by a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council in the Simon Bolívar Hall, during which Ambassadors paid tribute to the late Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, Permanent Representative of Venezuela, who died on November 24, 2016.
At a regular meeting held following the special meeting, Ambassador Rahming was presented with ceremonial gavel in commemoration of his tenure as Chair of the Permanent Council for a three-month period from July 1 to September 30.
CAPTION
His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming (left), Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations and Permanent Representative to the OAS, being presented with a cheque by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez on Thursday, December 1, 2016.
Washington D C
WASHINGTON, D.C. — His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), was among those paying tribute to the late Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the OAS during a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council in the Simon Bolívar Hall of the OAS headquarters at 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., on Thursday, December 1, 2016.
“On behalf of the government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I express profound condolences to the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the passing of H.E. Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez,” Dr. Rahming said.
He noted that Ambassador Alvarez, who died on November 24, 2016, during his tenure as Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the OAS left an “indelible mark on this organization.”
“During my term as Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Alvarez Herrera was instrumental in attempting to enhance the role of the Permanent Council by being a prominent advocate for the holding of a retreat of Ambassadors to discuss Permanent Council reform,” Ambassador Rahming said.
He added, “His unrelenting passion for defending his country was deeply admired and his willingness to dialogue and achieve mutual understanding and consensus was a true testament to his character. Clearly, he was a man of indomitable spirit, superior intellect, indefatigable energy, larger than life personality and unbridled passion. One like him comes along only so often. We will miss him and I extend heartfelt condolences to his family and country. May angels go with him and may heaven smile upon him.”
CAPTION
His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), paying tribute to the late Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the OAS. Seated behind him are Mr. Chet Neymour, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of The Bahamas, and Miss Tracee Dorestant, Second Secretary, Embassy of The Bahamas.