NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas officially bade farewell to United States Ambassador to The Bahamas Nicole Avant during a reception at the Balmoral Club on November 14.

She is scheduled to leave the country on November 22, after two years in the position. She is the first Ambassador appointed to The Bahamas under President Barack Obama’s administration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette acknowledged the work done by Ambassador Avant.

“Your Excellency, we will always remember your spirit of giving, inspiration and hope, and we trust this spirit will continue to positively affect those wherever you go,” said Symonette.

“The assistance you provided to children in need of love, hope and support has renewed efforts to bring awareness that individuals, especially children with intellectual or physical challenges have just as much of an equitable stake in society as those without such challenges,” he said. “As we support them together, we work toward a more inclusive, tolerant and compassionate Bahamas.”

Symonette thanked the Ambassador for supporting families with children with autism, and her work with the Special Olympics organization.

He also recognized her efforts in strengthening diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the US in the fight against the illicit drug trade, trafficking of arms and humans under the auspices of OPBAT (Operation Bahamas, Turks & Caicos) and the Joint Task Force on Counter Narcotics and Migration.