The Bahamas has officially taken over as Chair of the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Board of Governors, pledging to prioritize climate resilience and bolster regional disaster response efforts during its one-year tenure.
The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the CDB’s 55th Annual Meeting, held last week in Brasília, Brazil. Delivering remarks on behalf of the incoming Chair, Minister of Economic Affairs and CDB Governor for The Bahamas, the Honourable Michael Halkitis, Parliamentary Secretary Wayde Watson reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing sustainable development throughout the Caribbean.
“We are particularly pleased to work with the Bank on ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster response systems and build sustainability in the face of climate change,” Watson stated, highlighting The Bahamas’ alignment with the Bank’s strategic focus on building resilient institutions for a greener, stronger, and more inclusive Caribbean.
Having faced devastating hurricanes and rising sea levels, The Bahamas enters the chairmanship with a unique perspective on climate vulnerability. Watson also pointed to Prime Minister the Honourable Philip Edward Davis’ leadership on climate adaptation and finance as further proof of the nation’s deep engagement on the issue.
“The Caribbean is among the regions most affected by climate change, facing adaptation challenges that individual countries cannot—and I repeat, cannot—adequately address alone,” Watson said. “Multilateral institutions like the CDB are crucial in coordinating and funding solutions tailored to the region’s needs.”
The CDB’s Annual Meeting is its highest decision-making body, bringing together representatives from its 28 member countries. This year’s meeting was chaired by Ms. Viviane Vecchi Mendes Muller, Brazil’s Deputy Secretary for International Affairs and Development, and convened a wide range of stakeholders—including senior government officials, development finance leaders, and private-sector actors—to tackle issues like economic resilience, poverty alleviation, and climate action.
As Chair, The Bahamas will steer the Bank’s agenda over the next year and is set to host the 56th Annual Meeting in Nassau in June 2026.
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