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The University of The Bahamas, Nassau Campus, this weekend became the epicenter of a national transformation as the groundbreaking Geospatial Week 2025, concluded with the announcement of a comprehensive Action Plan that positions The Bahamas at the forefront of Sustainable Development and Land Reform in the Caribbean. The event was held in-person and online from Thursday to Saturday, October 16-18,2025, successfully integrated three critical forums: the Land Reform Awareness, YouthForum, and Geospatial Symposium, creating an unprecedented collaboration betweenGovernment, Academia [The University of The Bahamas], Civil Society, and TechnicalProfessions. Youth Innovation Takes Center StageThe Youth Forum emerged as a highlight, with students from Akhepran InternationalAcademy and other institutions presenting groundbreaking geospatial solutions tolongstanding Bahamian challenges. Their proposals included: Advanced GIS (Global Information Systems) mapping systems (e.g. UAVs—Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for hurricane recovery in Abaco Real-time flood monitoring for Pinewood Gardens Data-driven approaches to Nassau’s drainage and pothole crises Digital tools for sustainable agriculture and marine conservation“These young minds have demonstrated that Bahamian innovation can solve Bahamianproblems,” said Mr. Thomas Ferguson, Secretary of Bahamas Association of LandsSurveyors and Geospatial Expert and President of The Bahamas Institute of STEMInnovation (BIOSI). “Their geospatial applications represent exactly the kind ofhomegrown technology leadership our Nation needs.” Comprehensive National DialogueThe event featured presentations with robust discussions across multiple sectors,including the Family Islands, such as: Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, CatIsland, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, and Long Island. Keyoutcomes, encompassing Conclusions and Recommendations, follow: Land Reform Breakthroughs Comprehensive geospatial, geological and ecological analyses of The BahamasArchipelago as an “Ocean State” Detailed analysis of Commonage Land Rights by competent and specialised [RealEstate] Attorneys Call for financial support to Bahamian families with the high cost of surveyingtheir “Generation Properties” Comprehensive review of the New Land Registration Act 2025 and LandAdjudication Act 2025 In-depth comparative analysis of the various Acts in relation to The Constitution Agricultural sector representation addressing land access, ownership andinvestment accountability as indispensable for sustainable farming, and resultant,guaranteed Food and Nutrition Security. Environmental and Economic Stewardship Marine and fly-fishing professionals presented conservation mapping Mining and natural resource management received detailed technical analysis Tourism development considerations integrated with environmental protection The challenge of the Environmental Stewardship and Development of theglobally unique, diverse, fragile and immense Natural Resources Wealth of TheBahamas Archipelago, marine, terrestrial, submarine and airspace. Call for the Sovereign Bahamian ownership of the Port of Morgan’s Bluff, NorthAndros, never to be relinquished, except by a National Referendum. Academic and Technical Excellence University of The Bahamas professors advanced data collection methodologies GIS experts addressed data storage, processing, and application frameworks Bahamas Association of Land Surveyors (BALS) emphasized the urgency forimmediate, targeted incentives for the upgrading and expansion of theProfession as one of the indispensable guarantors for Land Reform BALS also issued a clarion call for youth engagement High school students presented innovative environmental stewardship andTechnology solutions for vexing problems of flooding and natural disasters On-the-spot feedback from Scientists and other Technical Experts present,refined Youth Proposals, such that recommendations were made for copyrightingand commercialization Action Plan Launch and Public EngagementCivil Society Bahamas announced the preliminary Strategic Action Plan, emphasizing itas a results-oriented, but also a living, responsive document, open for continued publicrefinement. “This is not the final word, but the first draft of our collective future,” statedCSB President Dr. Anthony Hamilton. President Hamilton further observed: “The inputfrom legal professionals, academics, surveying experts, youth, and community membersacross New Providence and the Family Islands has been invaluable, and we invite allBahamians to continue contributing during our Bahama Islands ‘townhall’ meetings.”The hybrid, in-person and online format of the event enabled widespread participation,with online attendees joining not only from multiple islands but also from internationallocations. Senators and senior Government representatives engaged directly with thepublic, creating an unprecedented dialogue between policymakers and citizens. Path ForwardOrganizers confirmed this marks the first in a series of ongoing engagements, with theStrategic Action Plan serving as the foundation for continued development. TheBahamas Association of Land Surveyors announced mentorship programs and trainingopportunities to build national capacity in geospatial fields.“The success of Geospatial Week 2025 demonstrates our nation’s readiness to embracetechnology while honoring our land and heritage,” said University of The Bahamas VicePresident and Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Maria Oriakhi. “This is just thebeginning of a sustained national effort and the University of The Bahamas was pleasedto serve as a partner in this historical, national awareness forum.”
