January, 31, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, will travel to Africa on February 2–5 to attend the indaba conference in South Africa and further Canada's agendas on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), and on innovation in Tanzania.
While in South Africa, the Minister will participate in a number of events on extractives at which he will talk about the importance of responsible resource development that benefits communities and the essential role of the private sector in poverty reduction and development. He will also meet with the governments of South Africa and of other African countries, and with representatives from the Canadian and African business communities.
"I look forward to exploring ways of increasing economic cooperation with our partners in Africa," said Minister Paradis. "The private sector has a key role to play in reducing poverty and creating sustainable economic growth across the African continent. Canada will continue to promote increased transparency and strengthened governance in the oil, gas, and mining sectors to ensure African populations derive the maximum benefit from their natural resources."
The Minister will then visit Tanzania, where he will meet with members of the government to discuss progress on our shared priorities of health, education, and sustainable economic growth. Minister Paradis will also meet with Canadian and international partners as well as members of local organizations working in Tanzania. While in Dar es Salaam, the Minister will deliver opening remarks at a round table event on innovations in MNCH, and at a G-8 event on the Canada-Tanzania partnership on transparency and extractives, originally announced by the Prime Minister at last June's G8 Summit in Lough Erne. Minister Paradis will also pay a visit to health and education sites, part of the national system in Tanzania and supported by Canada to get a first-hand view of the results and challenges.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, Canada is recognized as a global leader in maternal, newborn, and child health, a crucial part of efforts to reduce poverty and advance development," said Minister Paradis. "Canada's support saves lives and improves the health of African mothers and children by increasing their access to essential health services and finding innovative solutions to make their health systems more effective."
This will be the second visit of Minister Paradis to the African continent since being appointed in July.
Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie
819-953-6238
margaux.stastny@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
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