June 1, 2007 (12:45 p.m. EDT)
No. 72
The Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of
International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages,
today announced that Canada will host the 38th Annual Meeting of the Board of
Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in Halifax, Nova Scotia in
May 2008. The announcement was made at this year’s meeting of the Board of
Governors in Caracas, Venezuela.
Minister MacKay is Governor for Canada of the CDB.
“Canada is honoured to host the Board of Governors of the CDB, in our new capacity
as Chair,” said Minister MacKay. “I am proud that we are one of the largest contributors
to the Bank. It is a major force for economic development and regional integration,
targeting systematic reduction of poverty in the Caribbean. This is an important
opportunity for Canada to work with our Caribbean partners on issues of common
interest and value.”
“Canada supports the increasing policy leadership role of the CDB, which is paving the
way to reducing poverty in the Caribbean,” said Minister Verner. “We are particularly
pleased that Haiti is now a full member of the Bank.”
The Board of Governors is the highest policy-making body of the CDB. At the Annual
Meeting, the Bank and the governors review results, future challenges and goals to
ensure that the institution continues to be a constructive, effective and sustainable
partner in the region. The meeting is also an occasion for the international community
to come together and discuss the development issues pertinent to the Caribbean
region.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Nicole Lascelle
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation
819-953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
819-953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
http://www.cida.gc.ca
