(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global)
By Caribbean News Global
OTTAWA, Canada – Mélanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs, today announced that she will host a foreign ministers' meeting on Haiti on January 21, 2022.
This virtual meeting will allow the international community to convey its commitment to supporting Haiti as the country confronts a number of critical issues, including growing insecurity. Prime minister Justin Trudeau and Haiti's prime minister Ariel Henry will open the meeting.
“Canada and Haiti have long been united by a deep friendship and close collaboration. As a long-time friend and partner, Canada stands ready to support Haiti-led solutions to the country's most pressing issues, and remains committed to supporting Haiti for a more democratic, safer and more prosperous future,” said minister Joly.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for discussion between Haitian officials, foreign ministers of like-minded democracies and representatives of multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the Organization of American States (OAS), to find sustainable, inclusive solutions to the challenges faced by Haiti and Haitians.
Minister Joly will be joined by Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of international development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and together, they will emphasize the importance of regional and international cooperation in supporting Haiti. They will also discuss the importance of strengthening coordinated security efforts and supporting an inclusive political process and sustainable development.
Quick facts
- Canada and Haiti officially established diplomatic relations in 1954 and have continued to maintain strong diplomatic ties ever since.
- Over the years, relations between the two countries have been strengthened by their geographical proximity, their common French language, the growth of a substantial Haitian community in Canada (now numbering more than 165,000 people) and the ongoing presence of Canadian development organizations in Haiti.
- Canada and Haiti work together in international organizations, including the UN, the OAS, CARICOM and La Francophonie.
- For nearly 30 years, Canada has contributed to every UN peace mission to Haiti to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts. Contributions have included financial assistance and the deployment of members of the Canadian Armed Forces and of the RCMP, as well as correctional officers.
- Since Haiti's 2010 earthquake, the government of Canada has provided $1.8 billion of funding to Haiti. Canada is the second-largest bilateral donor to Haiti, after the United States. Canada's current annual budget for Haitian development assistance, approximately $89 million, makes Haiti the largest recipient of Canadian aid in the Americas.
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