The Bahamas, renowned for its turquoise waters, 700 islands, and vivacity and warmth of its people, is gearing up to celebrate a momentous milestone: 50 years of independence on 10 July 2023.
The date holds a double significance as it also marks 50 years since The Bahamas officially joined the modern Commonwealth, becoming its 33rd member.
The bond between The Bahamas and the Commonwealth runs deep, with the country having negotiated its independence at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, back in December 1972.
To mark this historic occasion, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, is in Nassau, the vibrant capital of The Bahamas, to attend the week-long celebration for the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
Reflecting on the 50th anniversary, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said:
“It is truly remarkable that in an era marked by racism, inequality and economic challenges, The Bahamas made a conscious decision to join the Commonwealth on the very day it gained its independence. This act of alignment with the right side of history exemplifies its commitment to a community of equals, united in the pursuit of peace, liberty, and progress.
“Today, as we celebrate this historic milestone, The Bahamas and the Commonwealth stand as a testament to the enduring strength of collaboration and the profound impact that a united community can have on the world.”
The Secretary-General extended her “heartfelt greetings and best wishes” to the government and the people of The Bahamas, assuring them that they would “always find a trusted and steadfast friend” in the Commonwealth.
Over the past five decades, The Bahamas and the Commonwealth have fostered a strong partnership, based on shared values and mutual respect.
In particular, The Bahamas has consistently provided leadership and support that has strengthened the collaboration among the diverse family of nations within the Commonwealth, offering invaluable good practices and practice solutions to promote democracy and development across the membership.
The shared history includes significant milestones, such as the Nassau Accord, a collective effort by the Commonwealth to combat white minority rule in South Africa, strong support for effective democracy through election observations, and visionary leadership on issues such as climate change, youth empowerment and economic policy, as well as steadfast advocacy for the interests of small states.
On this historic anniversary, the Commonwealth Secretariat looks back at its key engagements with The Bahamas in this photo story:
Independence and Commonwealth Membership
Prior to its formal membership, The Bahamas hosted the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in 1971.
Speaking at the meeting, then-Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, who is regarded as the father of the nation, described The Bahamas as “perhaps the most independent dependent country there is”, emphasising the delicate balance between independence and interdependence in the modern world.
Addressing the interconnectedness of nations, Prime Minister Pindling said:
“The presence of this meeting in The Bahamas, therefore, is significant in this regard also because it is another way by which we can be assisted in setting a part of the total stage and creating a part of the right atmosphere as we proceed to final self-determination.”
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Prime Minister, the Hon. Lynden O. Pindling is shown above centre signing the report of the Constitutional Conference, which ended at Marlborough House in London on 20 December 1972.
Commitment to ending apartheid
October 1985 | Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nassau
In 1985, The Bahamas became the second country in the Caribbean to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The meeting focused on a pressing issue that gripped the world’s attention at the time: the white minority rule in South Africa.
In response, Commonwealth leaders in attendance demonstrated their collective commitment to dismantling apartheid by adopting the Commonwealth Accord on Southern Africa, also known as the Nassau Accord.
The landmark agreement outlined a comprehensive set of measures designed to exert pressure on the apartheid regime in Pretoria.
Commonwealth leaders also established an Eminent Persons Group (EPG), which was tasked with visiting South Africa and reporting their findings back to the Heads of Government.
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1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in The Bahamas
August 1986 | Mini Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London
The Bahamas participated in the first-ever mini-summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, consisting of six other leaders. The summit was held to review the report presented by the Eminent Persons Group. The conclusions drawn from the group’s findings led to the implementation of further sanctions on South Africa.
Although the anticipated success proved elusive, the report was later acknowledged by members of the final apartheid government as a “prophetic document”, encompassing the essential elements that formed the basis of the subsequent negotiations between the South African government and the African National Congress. These negotiations ultimately ushered in a new era in South Africa’s history, marked by democracy, equality and justice.
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Group photo of leaders at the Mini Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London
Years after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela visited the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London and The Bahamas to thank both for their role in opposing apartheid.
Supporting democracy across the Commonwealth
Several distinguished Bahamian leaders have actively participated in the Commonwealth’s efforts to uphold democracy and support credible, transparent and inclusive elections in member countries, particularly through election observations. Some examples include:
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In 2011, Frederick A. Mitchell MP, a prominent figure from The Bahamas, served as the Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the presidential election in Cameroon.
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In 2016, Rt Hon Hubert A. Ingraham, former Prime Minister of The Bahamas, served as the Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the general elections in Vanuatu.
Championing small states
During the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by the wave of decolonisation, the unique challenges faced by small states became a recurring concern for Commonwealth heads of government and finance ministers.
Recognising the pressing need to address these challenges, a significant moment came in 1983 when leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) asked the Commonwealth Secretariat for intervention.
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In response, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal, established a ‘Commonwealth Expert Group on Vulnerability: Small States in the Global Society’. The group, led by Justice P.T. Georges of The Bahamas, spearheaded efforts to examine the economic foundations of security beyond political considerations.
The final report of the group made a substantial contribution to the Commonwealth beginning to play a leading role in addressing the specific needs of small states. It not only shed light on the unique vulnerabilities faced by these nations but also paved the way for targeted support to build their resilience.
In more recent years, the Commonwealth has collaborated closely with The Bahamas to develop national ocean policies and unlock the potential of its blue economy by promoting effective ocean governance.
The Bahamas has also joined various action groups of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, supporting coordinated efforts in tackling critical issues, such as protecting mangrove ecosystems, boosting the blue economy, and establishing marine protected areas.
Convening Commonwealth
In 1965, Commonwealth leaders affirmed that “Consultation is the lifeblood of the Commonwealth”, recognising the significance of open dialogue and collaboration.
The Bahamas has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful discussions within the Commonwealth by hosting various high-level meetings. Alongside the high-level Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1985, The Bahamas has also been the host for various ministerial meetings.
1971 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting
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Before its formal membership, The Bahamas hosted the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting on 23 and 24 September 1971. The meeting focused on addressing the crisis in the international monetary system, which arose due to the instability surrounding the suspension of the US dollar convertibility.
1981 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting
Against the backdrop of a major global recession, Commonwealth finance ministers gathered in Nassau on 22 and 23 September 1981 to discuss strategies for tackling pressing economic challenges.
Prime Minister Pindling of The Bahamas opened the meeting, emphasising the value of collective action within the Commonwealth and the futility of isolating oneself from the world.
The Prime Minister said: “This and other previous meetings have demonstrated that our Commonwealth of nations fully recognises and appreciates the importance of our interdependence and, in so doing, we have successfully resisted the forces that might have tempted us to ‘go it alone’.
“Instead, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the concept of the Commonwealth. We have come to realise that it simply makes no sense to try to stop the world with a view to getting off.”
1986 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting
The Bahamas hosted the Commonwealth Ministers Meeting, from 13 to 17 October 1986, under the theme ‘financing of health services’. Discussions sought to address the financial aspects of healthcare delivery, while stressing the need for international co-operation and development assistance.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, then-Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal, said:
“If a perfect climate, an irrepressible conviviality, and sheer dogged competence were enough to guarantee the success of a Commonwealth meeting, The Bahamas would be our permanent meeting place.”
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Newspaper clipping on the 1986 Commonwealth health ministers meeting in The Bahamas
1993 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting
Against the backdrop of the post-Cold War era, Commonwealth finance ministers gathered in Nassau to discuss the challenges of managing the transition to market-oriented economies.
As the world underwent significant shifts, finance ministers welcomed the positive movement towards democracy and market-oriented systems, and asked the Secretariat to assist member countries in navigating the economic transition.
2006 Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting
The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, which took place in Nassau from 24 to 26 May 2006, resulted in the adoption of the first Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment 2006-2015. The plan included ten strategic objectives, encompassing areas such as economic empowerment, gender equity, democratic participation, and access to information and technology.
Overall, the meeting aimed to promote the holistic development and active engagement of young people throughout the Commonwealth.
2015 Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers
The Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers was held from 22 to 26 June 2015 in Nassau under the theme of ‘quality education for equitable development: performance, paths and productivity’.
The conference coincided with the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals and the subsequent development of a post-2015 framework for education. Participants discussed strategies to ensure quality education that promotes equitable development and empowers individuals to reach their full potential.
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Commonwealth education ministers during a plenary discussion in The Bahamas
2017 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting
Under the theme ‘strengthening the rule of law through technology’, Commonwealth law ministers convened in The Bahamas to explore the impact of new technologies on various aspects of life, with a specific focus on access to justice.
Discussions encompassed responses to emerging threats like cybercrime, as well as the opportunities presented by technology to enhance the effectiveness of justice systems.
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Group photo of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, (centre) with Commonwealth law ministers in The Bahamas
2021 Commonwealth Law Conference
The Bahamas hosted the Commonwealth Law Conference in Nassau from 5 to 9 September 2021. The conference brought together legal professionals from around the Commonwealth to engage in important discussions about the field and share valuable experiences, aimed at strengthening the legal sector. An important highlight of the conference was a keynote address by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC.
A solid partnership
Through the years, the Commonwealth has established a reputation as a reliable partner, particularly in times of adversity, earning it the well-deserved title of a ‘bad weather friend’.
One poignant illustration of this commitment occurred when Hurricane Dorian, a category five hurricane, wreaked havoc on several islands in The Bahamas. Displaying solidarity and a penchant for swift action, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, visited the affected areas and worked with various partners to ensure The Bahamas received the necessary assistance it urgently needed.
During interviews with journalists, Patricia Scotland described the aftermath as resembling a “war zone” and vowed to help other countries to prevent and tackle the terrible effects of climate change.
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Media contact
- Snober Abbasi Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- T: +442077476168 | E-mail
