Delegates from 15 different countries came to Bermuda this week for the Biennial Caribbean Ombudsman Association Conference.

Victoria Pearman, Ombudsman for Bermuda and outgoing CAROA president, said the results were positive with public sessions tackling issues such as Ombudsman independence and climate change.

Ms Pearman said: “One noteworthy result was Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch’s commitment to encourage the Bermuda Government to invite the Ombudsman to join in disaster management efforts at the planning stage.

“This would allow for more direct sharing of lessons learnt across the region. CAROA invites other regional governments to consider such action.”

In addition to conferences, the 32 delegates watched a special performance by a Gombey troupe, enjoyed a boat ride to Harbour Nights in Hamilton and took a walking tour of the town of St George’s.

Ms Pearman added: “The feedback we’ve received from delegates, local participants and members of the public has been extremely positive.

“By all accounts, the conference was a great success.”

Ms Pearman announced that she would not put herself forward to continue as president of the CAROA Council, with Rosemarie Husbands-Mathurin, Parliamentary Commissioner for St Lucia, voted in as her successor.

Ms Pearman added: “I will continue as Regional president for the Caribbean and Latin America of the International Ombudsman Institute, which is the largest global body representing ombudsman from 199 countries and associated bodies.

“This role and the work of our own office will keep me sufficiently occupied and engaged.”