By Caribbean News Global 
TORONTO, Canada – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that he will travel to Bridgetown, Barbados on February 17 and 18, to participate in the conference of heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to build even stronger ties with the region – as Canada pursues its candidacy for election to the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022.
” We will continue to advance shared interests to benefit people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean, and around the world,” the statement revealed. “Prime minister Trudeau will participate in group discussions and bilateral meetings with CARICOM leaders. He will be received by the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley – the current chair of CARICOM and host of this meeting.
Prime minister Trudeau’s visit follows a similar visit with the president of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, on the margins of the 33rd African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, about the deep people-to-people ties between Canada and Somalia and discussed ways to build upon these ties to increase economic and other forms of cooperation between the two countries.
The Caribbean region and Caribbean states are important political, economic and cultural partners of Canada, and the visit will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen its partnership with this regional grouping of 20 Caribbean member states and Associate Members, and nearly 20 million people.
The prime minister will discuss challenges of mutual interest, including protecting oceans and the environment in the fight against climate change – in a region that is particularly vulnerable to its impacts, as well as creating good jobs for the middle class and sustainable economic growth.
In Ethiopia, the two leaders exchanged views on regional peace and security challenges, further to Canada’s role as 2020 chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. They also discussed peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts in the region and Canada‘s enhanced development engagement in Somalia with a focus on governance, gender equality and women’s empowerment and debt sustainability.
“Canada is a natural partner for Ethiopia and other African countries. Through our shared priorities of creating economic growth, promoting peaceful democracy and gender equality, and fighting climate change, we can find innovative ways to grow businesses and create opportunity for Canadians and Africans. I look forward to continuing to work together as we tackle global challenges and create a path forward for everyone,” said the prime minister of Canada.
“Canada and Caribbean countries have always had strong relationships and almost one million people of Caribbean descent live in Canada. These relationships are based on shared values and partnerships in the fight against climate change, the promotion of democracy, trade, economic growth, and security. I look forward to meeting the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can work together to strengthen the Caribbean and build a better world,” said the prime minister of Canada.
Related:
- Canada-Barbados Relations
- Canada – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Relations
- Canada further strengthens its support for the Caribbean Region
