NEW YORK – The Bahamas participated in a Special Event of the UN’s Economic and Financial Committee on the theme of Information Communications Technologies and E-Government in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, November 14, 2014.
The event sought to highlight some of the specific calls for action contained in the recently adopted outcome document of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, held in September in Apia, Samoa, which relate to the strengthening of information and communications technology (ICT) platforms for Small Island Developing States in order to advance sustainable development and reduce vulnerabilities and isolation; an issue of particular concern for archipelagic nations such as The Bahamas.
The event reaffirmed ICTs and E-Government as powerful tools and enablers which can contribute significantly to strengthening the building blocks of good governance, including transparency, accountability, participation, as well as effective and efficient use of public sector resources.
Ms. Rowena Bethel, Director and CEO of the National Insurance Board of The Bahamas and member of the United Nations Committee of Experts in Public Administration, was among the expert panelists speaking during the event. Ms. Bethel gave a comprehensive presentation on the specific challenges faced as well as successes achieved by The Bahamas in the context of ICT and E-Government.
Co-Chair of the Special Event was Mrs. Tishka Francis of the Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations, who is serving as Vice-Chair of the United Nations’ Economic and Financial (Second) Committee for the 69th Session of the General Assembly.
The event was also attended by H.E. Dr. Elliston Rahming, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United Nations and the Organisation of American States (OAS); Ms. Renae McKay, Chairman of the National Insurance Board of The Bahamas; and members of the Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations.
