Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 

Office of The Director-General & Legal Affairs

Ambassador Jerusa Lea Ali – Director General

jerusaali@bahamas.gov.bs

Jerusa Ali is the Director General and Head of the Foreign Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her role includes advising the Minister of Foreign Affairs on foreign policy issues and providing broad based policy advice to the Government of The Bahamas on the delivery of diplomatic, consular, and trade policy abroad. She is also focused on managing and directing the professional development of foreign service officers according to regional and international expectations of diplomatic work. The work of the Office of the Director General supports 2024 Bahamian foreign policy objectives: 1) Climate Diplomacy; 2) Trade and Investment; 3) Human Rights and Development; 4) Maritime and Security; and 5) South-South cooperation on food sovereignty, public health, renewable energy and other critical areas.

Director General Ali has an extensive background in diplomacy, human rights, development, and international law. She holds a BSc in Foreign Service from the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) Georgetown University; an MA in International Relations from the School of Politics, International Relations and the Environment Keele University; and an LLM in International Law from the University of Nottingham. Ms. Ali, who worked previously at the Ministry in legal affairs and treaty negotiation, has over 20 years experience in the field of diplomacy and as a researcher and lecturer in international law and international relations in Canada, the United States, Nigeria and other countries. Her experience teaching other diplomats subjects such as international law and the settlement of disputes and crisis simulation and negotiation gives her an appreciation for the important role of teaching and mentoring in diplomacy. Ms. Ali enjoys travelling and learning about foreign languages and culture. She is also passionate about environmental causes and spends most weekends exploring the Bahamas National Parks by foot or by kayak.

 

Ms. Keva Bain – Deputy Director General

kevabain@bahamas.gov.bs

Keva Lorraine Bain is a career Public Servant and an attorney-at-law. She recently served as, the Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland. During her time in Geneva, Ms. Bain served as President of the 73rd World Health Assembly, Vice President of the Human Rights Council, and Chair of the Human Rights Council Task Force on accessibility for persons with disabilities. Ms. Bain previously served in London and New York postings.  She also served as a Crown Counsel within the Office of the Attorney General, Acting Deputy Registrar in the Court of Appeal and Acting Registrar at the Registrar General’s Department, and as the Legal Advisor and Acting Director of Trade in the Ministry of Financial Services, and as a Legal Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, and was a member of The Bahamas Trade Commission, and the Inter-Ministry Committee on Trafficking in Persons.

Ms. Bain holds an LLM in International Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, an LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom, and a BA in Political Science and Economics from McGill University in Canada. She also holds a degree in history and English literature from the College of The Bahamas and had completed a bar vocational course at the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom. She is passionate about human rights, trade and development. In her current role, she is committed to improving inter-ministerial collaboration on all of these issues.

Multilateral and Political Affairs Bureau

The Multilateral Political Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the coordination of The Bahamas’ political relations and the advancement of its foreign policy objectives within the multilateral fora. The Bureau covers political issues within the United Nations and its subsidiary organs, other international organizations, including the Commonwealth.  Thus, it has responsibility for matters relating to international peace, security and cooperation, space and cyber policies.  The Bureau seeks to enhance The Bahamas’ engagement within the multilateral fora to ensure that The Bahamas plays a pivotal role in the development of international law and international policies. It also seeks to ensure that such developments within the multilateral arena would positively impact the sustainable development of The Bahamas and its people.

Ms. Gian Dean giandean@bahamas.gov.bs

Ms. Gian Dean joins the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a mid-career professional with over twenty years of experience in substantive roles at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. She is deeply dedicated to multilateralism: she had the privilege of working with three UN Secretaries-General, including Kofi Annan, and has traveled to over 40 countries with his successor, Ban Ki-moon, attending key global meetings, pledging and climate change conferences, a peace agreement signing, and numerous official visits.

Her extensive experience in political affairs includes electoral assistance, policy planning, and strategic communications within the Office of the UN SG Spokesperson. She has worked with the Policy Planning and Mediation Support Division and the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs, and the Africa Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Ms. Dean holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy from Norwich University and a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish for International Business from Georgia State University. She looks forward to supporting The Bahamas’ bid for a non-permanent Seat on the Security Council 2032-2033 and working with the Rotary Clubs on Model United Nations. Immediately upon graduation from high school, Ms. Dean pursued an internship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demonstrating her enduring interest and commitment to multilateral affairs. She looks forward to contributing her vast experience as an international civil servant as Head of the Multilateral and Political Affairs Bureau.

 

Caribbean & The Americas Bureau 

The Caribbean and Americas Bureau serves as a coordinating body for regional bodies and activities for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a coordinating body, it provides policy advice to the Government of The Bahamas on Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) among other regional organisation. The Bureau focuses on policy priorities including enhancing cooperation in agriculture and food security and facilitating trade and economic opportunities in the region. The Bureau works with regional agencies and institutions strengthening cooperation in areas such as disaster management and response; climate and the environment; the Caribbean Sea initiative; public health; crime and security; education and culture; and post COVID919 pandemic recovery.

Ms. R. Aruba Ferguson

rarubaferguson@bahamas.gov.bs

R. Aruba Ferguson joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 2017. She has worked throughout the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including on Caribbean and the Americas; Economic and Trade; Consular and Crisis; Legal; and Multilateral. As a diplomat, she is committed to a career defined by service and commitment to personal, technical and professional excellence. She has had one posting abroad to the Republic of Haiti. Ms. Ferguson holds a Masters’ Degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and a Masters’ Degree in Protocol & Soft Diplomacy from the International School of Protocol & Diplomacy in Brussels, Belgium. She also holds a BS in Administration & Management from Sojourner Douglass College, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Bilateral & Regional Affairs Bureau

The Ministry’s Bilateral and Regional Affairs Bureau is responsible for managing and maintaining bilateral relations with states and bilateral partners in Europe, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, the Pacific and Oceania, and the Middle East. The Bureau monitors developments in the regions for which it has responsibility and prepares proposals, briefs, and reports on the relevant states and on issues of importance to The Bahamas.  The Bureau also works closely with other Government Ministries and Agencies in order to ensure the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation projects and programmes.

The Bureau explores potential South-South cooperation with the countries of these regions and seeks to conclude an array of cultural, investment, trade, economic and other types of cooperation agreements to enhance bilateral relations. In 2024, the Bureau is focused on a more holistic approach to strengthening The Bahamas’ bilateral ties with African and Pacific states through increased dialogue and cooperation on areas of mutual interest including at the multilateral level.

Mr. Antonio Butler antoniobutler@bahamas.gov.bs

Mr. Antonio V. Butler Jr. is a career diplomat who has served as a non-resident research fellow of the Center for International Trade and Security (CITS), School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia since 2021. Mr Butler holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies – Economic Development from the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa and a BBA in Economics and Finance from the University of The Bahamas in Nassau, The Bahamas. He was a visiting fellow at the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS) located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterrey and for the 2023 United Nations (UN) Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the UN Headquarters in New York, USA from August to November 2023.

Mr. Butler was previously Head of the CARICOM Division during The Bahamas’ chairmanship. He was entrusted with the task of planning, coordinating, organizing three (3) major regional and international conferences chaired by The Bahamas, namely, the Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), 15th – 17th February, 2023; and the US-Caribbean Leaders Meeting, 8th June, 2023. In his current role, as Head of the Bilateral and Regional Affairs Bureau, he provides technical advice on the preservation and enhancement of bilateral ties with countries, in order to promote and advance the priorities of the Government of The Bahamas. His 2024 goal for the Bureau is to increase the number of countries with whom The Bahamas has diplomatic relations and to strengthen cultural, economic, and political ties thereafter.

Trade, Economic & Development Bureau

The Trade, Economic and Development (TED) Bureau is responsible for bilateral and multilateral issues in the areas of economics, trade and sustainable development, climate change, financial services, information technology, agriculture, health (including vaccines and COVID-19), labour and related areas.

A pivotal area of responsibility pertains to all issues derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The seventeen SDGs were adopted by the United Nations membership in 2015, as a universal call for action, for the global community to collectively ensue that there is a concerted effort to create a sustainable world for future generations. Ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity are central themes of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  These goals thus provide a useful barometer for Bahamian policy makers to assess national development objectives and priorities.  Officers assigned to the TED Bureau have oversight of these matters at the United Nations and its agencies as well as the regional offices that are located in the Caribbean including The United Nations Bahamas Country Coordination Office in Nassau.

The TED Bureau also has responsibility for matters covered by the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels and the European Union Delegation Mission in Jamaica. Priority areas of interest include: the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement; the CARIFORUM/UK Economic Partnership Agreement; The Bahamas’ chairmanship of CARIFORUM for the period 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024; enhanced political cooperation with the European Union.

On a local level, the TED Bureau serves as the focal point for interaction with the relevant line ministries and financial entities as well as the private sector.

Ms. Charmaine Williams charmainewilliams@bahamas.gov.bs

Charmaine Desiree Anastasia Williams serves as the Head of the Trade, Economic and Development Bureau in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This assignment signifies the most recent achievement, in a series of appointments and positions that Ms. Williams has held since the commencement of her Foreign Service career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Bahamas, effective December 1996. A plethora of travel duty assignments and training opportunities over the twenty-eight years of her career as well as rotations in all Divisions of the Ministry and supervisory responsibilities, have also buttressed her Foreign Service competencies. Ms. Williams was one of the first Bahamians to work at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana during the timeline 1996 to 1998 where she served as Administrative Officer in the Foreign and Community Relations Directorate. This portfolio allowed for the garnering and development of technical knowledge pertaining to matters of import to the membership of the Caribbean Community. An in-depth knowledge of matters of import in the Commonwealth and the European Union arenas was also attained during a nine-month stay in Oxford, England as part of the Oxford University Foreign Service Programme during the 2000-2001 academic year. As well as, her appointment as Second Secretary/Vice-Consul in The Bahamas High Commission in London from 2003 to 2007.

With a comprehensive technical grasp for deliberations in the multilateral arena, Ms. Williams was appointed as First Secretary to The Bahamas Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York where she served for seven years from September 2015 to July 2022. A significant portion of that posting, encompassed participation in events of the G77 and China and the United Nations General Assembly Second Committee (Trade and Economic Affairs Committee). In these fora, challenges encountered by the Global South, solutions pertaining to the same as well as an interface with the developed world community, the UN development system and international financial institutions was regularly facilitated.

In 2024-2025, Ms. Williams’ has focused the work of the TED Bureau on strengthening capacity and building relationships under the following themes:

  • climate change;
  • SIDS / the challenges of middle-income countries;
  • The Bahamas’ relations with the European Union Delegation Mission in Jamaica;
  • The Bahamas’ relations with the OACPS Secretariat in Brussels;
  • The Bahamas’ relations with the CARIFORUM Directorate in Guyana;
  • The Bahamas’ relations with the Regional Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jamaica; and
  • Private sector outreach on trade and investment.

 

Maritime & Ocean Affairs Bureau

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other agencies, is responsible for Law of the Sea and Ocean Policy matters in which The Bahamas has vested interest. Due to maritime affairs’ surmounting issues in the international arena, the Ministry formed the Maritime Division in 2018. It was restructured in 2023 and is now known as the Maritime & Ocean Affairs Bureau.

The thematic areas of work of the Bureau include maritime boundary delimitations and the extended continental shelf, and more broadly, the government’s policy surrounding the Law of the Sea and Ocean Affairs i.e. ocean governance, bilateral and multilateral maritime agreements, and other maritime and oceans related issues in coordination with the primary national authorities.

The Bureau supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in promoting The Bahamas’ role in international, regional, and sub-regional organisations within the spheres of ocean affairs, environment, and maritime security, to both strengthen the objectives of those bodies and to promote the country’s interests.

Ms. Kimberley Lam kimberleylam@bahamas.gov.bs

Kimberley Lam is Head of the Maritime & Ocean Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She has primary responsibility for the coordination of the work of the multisectoral National Maritime Delimitation Committee and has represented The Bahamas in boundary negotiations with the Republic of Cuba, the United States of America and the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. She is a 2009-2010 Nippon Fellow to the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS)-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS.

Kimberley holds a Masters Degree in Conflict Analysis from Kings College London and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Conflict Mediation and Reconciliation from Brandeis University where she was the 2001 recipient of the Maurice J. and Fay B. Karpf Peace Award. Kimberley joined the Ministry in 2006 and has been assigned to the Legal Affairs Division where she served as Acting Head from 2017-2018, CARICOM Division where she served as Acting Head in 2014, the International Relations Division, the Consular Division, Passport Office, the Office of the Director-General, and the Protocol Division. Her diplomatic postings include the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington, D.C., and the Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations in New York.

 

Human Rights & Human Security Bureau

The newly established Bureau of Human Rights and Human Security focuses on the intersection between diplomacy and human rights including regional and international obligations. The Bureau works closely with other Government Ministries and Departments and members of civil society on critical thematic areas on human rights and human security including combating trafficking in persons; migration; gender mainstreaming initiatives; climate justice; and reparations for peoples of African descent. In 2023, the Bureau worked to support two high-level visits from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): 1. Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights; and 2. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In 2024, the Bureau is preparing to welcome the first regional office of the OHCHR to be based in Nassau. Due to The Bahamas’ unique geographic and environmental characteristics as an archipelagic Small Island Developing state, the Bureau is determined to continue to focus on the human rights impacts of climate vulnerability.

Ms. Janine Gibson janinegibson@bahamas.gov.bs

Janine A. Gibson joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011, marking the beginning of a diverse and enriching career. Over the years, she has worked across various departments within the Ministry, including the Legal Affairs Division, Multilateral Political Division, Consular Division, Passport Office, Protocol and Economic Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development. Janine’s work within the Ministry has also included diaspora affairs, migration, and consular law and practice, both at home and abroad. Her career in diplomatic service has taken her to postings in Havana, Cuba, and Washington, D.C., where she had the privilege of representing her country and strengthening bilateral ties.

Ms. Gibson’s commitment to professional development is evident through her participation in training programs, including those with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Academia Diplomática Andrés Bello in Santiago, Chile. Janine’s recently had the distinction of becoming an alumna of the esteemed United States State Department Visitor Leadership Program. Her academic achievements include a Master’s Degree in Global Business International Trade, underlining her dedication to enhancing her knowledge and skills in the field of international affairs.

Technical Assistance and Project Management Bureau

The Technical Assistance and Project Management Bureau co-ordinates technical cooperation and assistance programs available to The Bahamas through both bilateral and multilateral channels. The Bureau collaborates with the public and private sector in administering Technical Assistance Cooperation which may be in the form of capacity building, training opportunities, professional exchanges, fellowships/scholarships, national development projects, and provision of consultants, materials and equipment.

The Bureau is responsible for liaising with international partners to obtain information on Development Assistance. The Bureau achieves its objectives through the Implementation of Memoranda of Understanding, Project Design, Management and Evaluation all in a coordinated and targeted manner to assist in addressing the country’s specific developmental needs.

Ms. Raylene L. Ferguson rayleneferguson@bahamas.gov.bs

Ms. Raylene L. Ferguson is a proud descendant of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, a Career Foreign Service officer and a Senior Public Servant with 23 years of service. Ms. Ferguson recently served as Deputy Consul General and Head of Chancery at the Consulate General of The Bahamas, Miami. In 2018, she served as Second Secretary/Vice Consul and Head of Chancery at the Embassy of The Bahamas, Havana. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish, an Associate of Arts Degree in Business with a concentration in Computer Data Processing and an Advanced Proficiency certificate in Spanish.

Ms. Ferguson served as an Immigration Officer for a decade where she had the opportunity to interview and interpret for applicants seeking asylum in The Bahamas on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) within the Department of Immigration’s Refugee Administration Unit. In her current role as Head of the Technical Assistance and Project Management Bureau, she is responsible for the administration and coordination of technical cooperation and assistance programs available to The Bahamas through both bilateral and multilateral channels, as well as, liaising with international partners to obtain information on Development Assistance.

 

Support for Foreign Service Training Programmes

BARIFA is tasked with Ensuring the Foreign Service of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas meets the demands of an ever-changing global society is the key role of the Foreign Service Training Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As such, it facilitates the continuous and consistent training and development of Foreign Service Officers at all ranks and levels.

The Department of Foreign Affairs serves in an advisory capacity to The Bahamas Alrae Ramsey Institute of Foreign Affairs (BARIFA).  This advisory function establishes prescribed training needs, which are necessary to fuel education and training for Foreign Service Officers.

A career within the Foreign Service is not simply a job, but rather a way of life; a life that presents opportunities for enlisted officers to showcase their Bahamian culture and act in our national interests to the global society through diplomacy. This is why BARIFA, in conjunction with the Human Resources Division, and through training and development, must ensure that officers are equipped with the requisite capacity-building skills to be well-rounded when representing The Bahamas.

It is the role of BARIFA to hone the necessary hard and soft skills of officers. These skills may include analytical, negotiating, strategic thinking and writing skills. There are also soft skills that need honing and/or development i.e. interacting with diplomats, conversational skills, patience, poise, national loyalty, integrity, honesty and more.

BARIFA has a top-class onboarding process for new Foreign Service officers through comprehensive orientation sessions. The methodology includes established training methods for existing officers (inclusive of supervisors and management) such as attachments, on-the-job training, classroom training, online training, apprenticeship training and more, embracing technology for training to improve job skills for Foreign Service Officers.

Foreign Service Officers must be prepared to meet the needs of the Bahamian Diaspora outside our borders. Therefore, a well-rounded Bahamian Foreign Service Officer trains continuously to be more knowledgeable of the economic, social and political policies of The Bahamas and their competitiveness vis-a-vis policies of the Caribbean Region and the world through constant training organized by this division.

  • Development of the Foreign Service Institute – courses, curriculum and certification
  • Identification of staff development and training opportunities for Foreign Service Officers nationally and internationally
  • Identification of training and internship opportunities within international organizations
  • Liaise as needed with the Human Resources Division on training offered by the Public Service

 

Protocol Division

Mr. Paul Terry Archer paulterryarcher@bahamas.gov.bsThe Division is responsible for providing Protocol Services in respect of the Government’s business at the Government House, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other Ministries/Departments of Government, and the accreditation of foreign and Bahamian diplomats and consular officers. The Division also provides advice and guidance on ceremonial protocol, is responsible for the administration and management of the VIP Lounge at Nassau International Airport, and is the Liaison with Foreign Missions and Offices of international organizations accredited to The Bahamas,

  • Accreditation of Ambassadors
  • Conference Management
  • Relations with the Diplomatic/Consular Corps
  • Reception of visiting dignitaries)

Consular Division

Mr. Perry Davis perrydavis@bahamas.gov.bs

The Consular Division is responsible for the issuance of visas and authentication of documents for use in foreign countries, both of which are revenue-earning services.  The Division is also responsible for the issuance of diplomatic and official passports, and administration of the control system of release and return for official passports; liaising with those British Consulates General abroad, which render visa and other consular services on behalf of The Bahamas Government; and registration of Bahamian students studying abroad.

  • Visas
  • Authentication of documents
  • Repatriations
  • Consular matters such as assistance to Bahamians in distress
  • Assistance to foreign nationals in distress in consultation with the Legal Division
  • Processing of requests to deport Bahamians to The Bahamas

Contact the Consular Division: (242)-397-9300 | (242)-397-9301

 

27th November, 2024