Press Statement
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Honourable Frederick A. Mitchell, MP, addressed delegates, envoys and Bahamian citizens during a ministerial dialogue at Diplomatic Week 2026 on 19 October 2026 at Margaritaville Resort, Nassau, The Bahamas. He articulated a strategic vision for Bahamian foreign policy anchored in diplomatic expansion, service to citizens and the defence of sovereignty and the international rule of law.
Minister Mitchell affirmed that Bahamian diplomacy is fundamentally citizen-centred, working to build Foreign Service capacity and ensure that the Bahamian passport commands international respect and guarantees seamless passage worldwide.
Placing bilateral and regional cooperation at the forefront of the Ministry’s agenda, Minister Mitchell underscored that international agreements – such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) – must translate into direct, practical benefits for Bahamians. He pointed to landmark educational breakthroughs arising from active diplomatic dialogue, including newly secured full-ride scholarships for Bahamian students at Irish universities, expanding academic links with partners like Romania, and the impending establishment of a formal Bahamian diplomatic mission in Dublin to complement existing presences in Brussels and Geneva.
Echoing Prime Minister Philip Davis’s national statement at the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Mitchell reaffirmed that The Bahamas’ sovereignty is absolute and rejected any resurgence of “backyard” diplomacy. He emphasised that for small island developing states, the international rule of law is an indispensable shield – ensuring that sovereign equality prevails, that the strong are bound by the same rules as the weak, and that small nations are never reduced to bystanders in global affairs.
The Minister also highlighted the economic power of cultural diplomacy, noting that Bahamian “soft power” – exemplified for example by Junkanoo showcases in London – elevates the nation’s international profile and actively drives foreign direct investment and tourism.
Reaffirming the vital role of multilateral forums such as the Commonwealth ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Minister Mitchell declared: “Large countries can use their military, but I have my voice. And as long as I have my voice, I am going to speak up to those values, and the values will endure. And I’ll use my voice, even if it shakes.”
Diplomatic Week 2026 brings together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, international partners, and business leaders to strengthen relationships, advance economic diplomacy, and unlock new opportunities for trade, education, and sustainable development.
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