Minister Hussen to travel to Colombia

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

August 28, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today announced that he will visit Colombia, specifically Bogotá and communities along the Venezuelan border.

Marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Colombia, Minister Hussen’s visit will further deepen ties with this important regional actor and demonstrate Canada’s continued support for this long-lasting partnership. During his visit, the Minister will reaffirm Canada’s role as a key ally in supporting Colombia’s development, humanitarian, peace and security objectives. The 2 countries’ mutual interests include advancing peace, protecting democracy and human rights, fighting climate change, advancing inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring a robust recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Minister Hussen will participate in bilateral meetings with his counterparts and partners. He will also launch new development initiatives and visit project sites supported by the Government of Canada that focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, vaccine equity and health system strengthening, regional migration and education, all of which are directly in line with Canada’s global commitments.

Quotes

“I look forward to many productive discussions with our partners and my counterparts in Colombia on how we can continue to strengthen our relationships and ensure that our support is having the greatest impact on the ground to enable a brighter, safer and more equitable future for all, particularly women and girls.”

- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

Quick facts

  • Canada established full diplomatic relations with Colombia in 1953.

  • Together, the 2 countries have expanded their trade and investment; held an open dialogue on human rights; cooperated on development; and closely cooperated on regional and multilateral issues. Canada has also supported Colombia’s justice, security and peacebuilding efforts.

  • Canada’s agenda in Colombia has a clear mandate for development cooperation and assistance in strategic areas such as education, health, agriculture and gender equality. In fiscal year 2022 to 2023 alone, Canada invested $64 million in international assistance in Colombia aimed at poverty eradication and gender equality.

  • Canada has provided more than $67 million in funding to Colombia since 2015 to support human rights, peace and security efforts and the implementation of a peace agreement.

Associated links

Contacts

Emily Heffernan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Development
Emily.Heffernan@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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