Canada-CARICOM leaders meeting to further strengthen existing ties

OTTAWA, Canada, CMC- The first ever Canada-CARICOM summit to be held here got under way on Wednesday with the launch of the CARICOM-Canada Strategic Partnership intended to deepen and strengthen the existing relationships between the two regions.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the new initiative “will help us tackle urgent challenges together, creating good jobs, ending poverty, growing the middle class, making life more affordable, fighting climate change, protecting the environment…and building of course a secure peaceful hemisphere and a peaceful world.

“Today we are bringing our relationship and our friendship to the next level,” he added.

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who is also the chairman of the 15-member regional integration movement, said as “we navigate the new frontier” in CARICOM-Canada partnership, it is worth remembering “our shared priorities are not mere ideals.

“They are the fundamental building blocks for a future we will collectively shape ,” he said, adding that CARICOM is looking forward to working together “to build a more resilient, prosperous, sustainable and secure future for our peoples”.

He said the region welcomes the CARICOM-Canada Strategic Partnership, saying it will allow for institutionalised and regular dialogue at various levels.

“It will facilitate the implementation of joint actions, decisions and agreements on specific thematic priorities including health, environment, defence trade development and finance,” Skerrit added.

The CARICOM chairman said that the summit's theme “Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future” is of particular importance in an era of uncertainty “we seek to deliver tangible results to meet our present needs and that of generations to come".

The two-day summit will discuss a wide range of issues including climate change and resilience, access to finance and global financial architecture reform, Haiti, regional security, as well as trade and investment.

Trudeau said that his administration would continue to play a meaningful role in Haiti, where criminal gangs have destablised the French-speaking CARICOM country.

“Canada appreciates the leading role played by CARICOM in promoting inclusive political dialogue in Haiti. We will continue to work together with you to put forward Haitian led solutions, including in the case of global international intervention,” he added.

The United Nations Security Council has approved of a resolution allowing for an international multi-national military force into Haiti following a request by Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry for assistance in restoring peace and stability in his country. The force will be led by Kenya.

Skerrit said more than ever before “Haiti needs us” and it is imperative “to do what we must for the people of Haiti and to provide so many…the hope that there is a brighter future for them.

“We stand as a CARICOM to lead this process to ensure that we can provide for the people of Haiti,” Skerrit added.

CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett said that Haiti continues to be a major concern for the Community.

“Collaboration is critical among parties willing to help resolve the security, humanitarian and political crises. The government of Canada is part of the collective effort to support meaningful solutions to the multidimensional crisis in Haiti."

Trudeau said that over the years, Canada and CARICOM have built an “enduring partnership and friendship,” noting “we share strong ties between our peoples.

“Canadians like people in the Caribbean are proud of our diversity. In Canada the vitality of the Caribbean diaspora contributes enormously to our country. Our country also share economic interests, values, like democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and rules based international order.

He said in the spirit of collaboration and finding solutions as partners and as co-chair of the UN SDG Advocates, he continues to actively engage the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley  “as the world needs to get back on track on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.

“Canada is proud of its strong development cooperation in the Caribbean region which has been at its highest level in recent years but knows that there is much more work to be done.

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