Canada Locks Up Key CARICOM Allies In Bid For UN Security Council Seat

Bridgetown, Barbados – Global Affairs Canada François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded a successful series of meetings with leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Bridgetown, Barbados on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Over the past two days, Minister Champagne and CARICOM leaders discussed solutions to the impacts of climate change and ways to promote economic growth that works for everyone.

Canada is a long-time partner of Caribbean island countries with a shared interest in protecting oceans and coastal communities while helping to address climate change.

Almost 1 million people of Caribbean descent call Canada home with another estimated 2 million Canadians travelling to CARICOM countries annually.

While in Bridgetown, Minister Champagne highlighted new Canadian funding to support CARICOM efforts to counter the devastating impacts of climate change. These efforts range from emergency response and preparedness to climate-smart agriculture and the blue economy. He also offered to expand the scope of Canadian technical expert assistance in areas prioritized by CARICOM countries.

In bilateral and group discussions at the CARICOM Inter-sessional Meeting, the Minister also underscored Canada as a vital partner in advancing shared regional and global interests, as it continues to pursue its candidacy for the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022.