Caribbean leaders including Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, have converged in Ottawa for a first-ever Canada-CARICOM Summit in the North American country, aimed at forming closer ties.
This is Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2nd meeting with CARICOM Heads of Government since his trip to the Bahamas in February.
Caribbean leaders are hoping Canada will push their concerns such as the profound threat they face from climate change higher on the international agenda.
Mr. Trudeau says Canada and Caribbean leaders are taking their relationship to the next level with the launch of the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership.
Today’s meetings are set to involve three working sessions, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to meet individually with leaders between the fora.
On Thursday, the leaders are expected to take part in a trade and investment roundtable, ahead of an afternoon press conference.
CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit sees the theme”Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future” as relevant given the uncertainty today.
He says leaders will seek to deliver tangible results to meet their present needs and that of generations to come.
CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett says Canada remains a vital partner with CARICICOM since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.
She says the high-level summit presents opportunities to further strengthen cooperation.
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