Canada to host 54th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of Caribbean Development Bank
News release
June 21, 2023 - Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada
Canada values its deep, long-standing relationships with the countries and peoples of the Caribbean, as well as with the region’s multilateral organizations. Canada remains committed to working with its Caribbean partners to help build more inclusive, prosperous and resilient societies.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today accepted the chairmanship of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the 2023 to 2024 term.
Speaking virtually during the closing ceremony of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the CDB, Minister Sajjan also announced that Canada will host the 54th Annual Meeting in 2024. He also thanked the outgoing chair, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, for hosting this year’s annual meeting and for his leadership over the past year.
As CDB chair for the year ahead, Minister Sajjan and the Board of Governors will work with the theme Sharing to Grow, placing partnership and inclusion at the centre of their work, which will include meeting commitments related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Canada has long-standing bilateral and multilateral partnerships with the island states of the Caribbean, supporting their voices at the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund.
Quotes
“Canada supports the ongoing efforts of the Caribbean Development Bank to better assess climate vulnerabilities and to promote green, resilient and inclusive growth. I am committed to continuing to engage with the bank and our Caribbean partners to advance this critical work.”
- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“CDB is eager to strengthen our partnership with the Government and people of Canada who have been strong supporters of the Caribbean’s development agenda. We anticipate building on Canada’s active involvement in the region through this Chairmanship and both sides stand to benefit greatly from closer collaboration.”
- Hyginus Leon, President of the Caribbean Development Bank Group
Quick facts
-
Canada is a founding member of the CDB and is the bank's largest non-regional shareholder alongside the United Kingdom (each hold 9.31% of total shares).
-
Canada is the largest contributor to the CDB's Special Development Fund, which provides low-interest loans and grants to support the poorest and most vulnerable Caribbean countries.
-
Canada represents Caribbean countries as part of its constituencies at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
-
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados are co-chairs of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Advocates for the 2022 to 2024 term.
Associated links
Contacts
Haley Hodgson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Haley.Hodgson@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaDev
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international development - Global Affairs Canada
Follow us on Instagram: @canadadev
Page details
- Date modified: