Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King, hosted a formal signing of the North American Defence Framework (NADF) with U.S. Embassy Senior Defence Official, Commander Victor Lang, and Captain Charlie McCurdy, Bilateral Affairs Officer of the Rhode Island National Guard. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of National Security on John F. Kennedy Drive, underscoring the deepening ties between North American defence partners.
Joining Commodore King at the event were Deputy Commander Defence Force, Captain Shondell Pinder, and Captain Shawn Adderley, reflecting the RBDF’s commitment to building a collaborative framework for strategic cooperation. The NADF represents a critical milestone in defence relations, aimed at strengthening collaborative capacities and institutionalizing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda within the defence sectors of participating nations.
The North American Defence Framework is a letter of intent, signaling the commitment of North American defence partners to operationalize and embed the principles of the WPS agenda. This initiative is vital to enhancing organizational effectiveness, fostering resilience, and promoting stability, while addressing strategic risks through inclusive security practices.
The NADF provides a formal structure for participating nations to synergize efforts in advancing the WPS agenda, ensuring that the principles of Women, Peace, and Security remain central to defence cooperation. This agreement aligns with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Gender Optimization Policy, which was implemented in June 2022, marking a historic shift toward greater diversity in leadership and gender inclusivity within the organization.
As a demonstration of the RBDF’s commitment to the WPS agenda, the Force participated in a Women, Peace, and Security seminar in August 2022. The seminar, hosted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in collaboration with the United States Northern Command, Southern Command, and the Rhode Island National Guard, served as a platform to reinforce shared objectives and strengthen defence partnerships.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in international defence cooperation, showcasing the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s dedication to fostering inclusive and secure environments. The signing of the North American Defence Framework is a testament to the RBDF’s commitment to promoting Women, Peace, and Security, and to advancing diversity and equality within the global defence landscape.
Commodore Raymond King is committed to gender equality and the inclusion of women in every sphere of the workplace particularly, recruitment and retention, promotion and advancements, appointments and job placements, training and development, and the decision making processes among others.
Photos by Marine Seaman Rickey Sealey
