May 23, 2008
No. 126
From Monday, May 26, to Thursday, May 29, the Government of Canada will host the 38th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Caribbean heads of government, ministers of finance and development, governors of central banks, as well as representatives from international organizations and Canadian financial institutions, will attend the meeting.
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Bank's Governor for Canada, will chair the May 28 to 29 meeting of the Board of Governors. The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia, will join Minister Bernier in officially opening the meeting. The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, will also be attending and will play a prominent role in the Bank's meeting as well as other events. The bank meeting will be followed by a day-and-a-half business program hosted by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
"The Government of Canada has pledged to play a bigger role in the Americas, including the Caribbean," said Minister Bernier. "Hosting the Caribbean Development Bank's annual meeting allows us to demonstrate our commitment to re-engage with the Caribbean and other regions of the Americas."
"Canada's commitment to support this region, in cooperation with the determination of the Caribbean people, will further the goals of building strong democracies and economies, and improving the overall quality of life," said Minister Oda.
In reference to the business program, Minister MacKay noted, "Atlantic Canada has a long-standing history of strong trade relationships with the Caribbean and other regions of the Americas. The meeting will provide Canadian firms the opportunity to further explore business relationships in the Caribbean. Increased trade means more jobs, higher incomes and greater commercial opportunities for Atlantic Canadians."
The Caribbean Development Bank is an important partner in Canada's new Caribbean regional development strategy and in the country's efforts to make its development aid more effective, more accountable and more results-oriented. Canada, a founding member of the CDB, played a key role in creating the Bank in January 1970 and has been a substantial contributor. Canada continues to provide support for sustainable socio-economic development with an emphasis on reducing poverty and, more recently, on strengthening democracies and regional economies. Over the six cycles of the Bank's Special Development Fund, Canada has contributed a total of $181.5 million.
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.
Websites:
Caribbean Development Bank
www.caribank.org
Host Country Secretariat
www.cdb-bdc2008.ca
Canadian International Development Agency-Caribbean Regional Program
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/americas-caribbean
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Caribbean Development Bank-Canadian Affiliation
www.infoexport.gc.ca/ifinet/ifi/cdb-e.htm
Success Stories
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/CIDAWEB/acdicida.nsf/En/FRA-5141405-P54
www.infoexport.gc.ca/ifinet/success/Dessau-Soprin-e.htm
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Joanna Bailey
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
819-953-6238
Jay Paxton
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-996-3100
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
819-953-6534
Email: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
www.cida.gc.ca
