March 27, 2009
No. 80
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), will attend the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Medellín, Colombia, from March 27 to 31, 2009. He will also have bilateral programs in Medellín and Bogotá.
“Canada plays an active role in the Inter-American Development Bank, which is a valued partner for our engagement in the region,” said Minister of State Kent.
The Bank is the main source of multilateral financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Canada is a non-borrowing regional member.
Supporting Canada’s engagement in the Americas, the Minister of State will also have a full program of bilateral meetings and activities in Bogotá.
“This visit will be an opportunity for me to witness first-hand Canada’s engagement in Colombia in support of increased security, peace and prosperity,” said Minister of State Kent. “There has been substantial progress in those areas in Colombia in the past few years, and it is crucial that we continue our efforts to support that progress.”
While at the IDB’s meeting, Minister of State Kent will address the plenary session on March 30. Canada joined the Bank in 1972. The IDB is the oldest and largest regional development bank in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more information on Canada’s partnership with the IDB, please consult: www.infoexport.gc.ca/eng/development-humanitarian-aid-markets/inter-american-dev-bank.jsp
For more information on Canada-Colombia bilateral relations, please consult the following websites:
http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/columbia-bb-en.aspx?lang_update=1
www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/andean-andin/can-colombia-colombie.aspx
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Eleanor Johnston
Senior Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-947-8981
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
