June 10, 2008
Ottawa – The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today welcomed to Canada Secretary General José Miguel Insulza of the Organization of American States (OAS).
During the visit, Minister Oda and Secretary General Insulza, signed an arrangement that is a key piece of Canada's strategy for re-engagement in the Americas. The OAS/CIDA Cooperation Plan is a three-year $20 million program which will reinforce the role of the OAS as the premier multilateral political institution in the Americas and an important forum for development cooperation.
"With this initiative, the OAS will be able to advance our shared agenda of democracy, security and prosperity," Minister Oda said. "It will lead to stronger democratic governance practices and more effective development programming in a number of countries. We will also see greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in the performance of the OAS."
The OAS/CIDA Cooperation Plan exemplifies Canada's move towards a more focused, strategic, programmatic and results-based multi-year approach, which we hope other donors will also adopt. The Cooperation Plan will support a program of activities to strengthen democratic governance in OAS Member States, including support to the Summit of the Americas to be held in 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The Government of Canada is working to promote our foundational values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, showing our compassion for the less fortunate. By focusing our efforts, we believe that even better results can be delivered to those who need it most.
-30-
Information:
Joanna Bailey
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
819-953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
