CCI Co-Chairs comment on Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership

Media Release

Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) Co-Chairs comment on the first anniversary of the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership and advancing goals for the next year

October 31, 2024

On the first anniversary of the announcement of the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership by the Government of Canada and CARICOM, the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) restated its enthusiastic support of the initiative.  With the goal of advancing the Canada-CARICOM relationship, the Strategic Partnership was designed to facilitate regular dialogue, at the officials’ level up to and including Foreign Ministers and Leaders to advance joint initiatives.

At the same time the Institute called on governments to outline the objectives of the Strategic Partnership and the progress they are making.

The CCI applauds the many positive bilateral engagements that have taken place in the past year including  Canadian Development Minister Hussen’s attendance as special guest at the last two Heads of Government Meetings (Guyana and Grenada), Canada’s significant financial support of the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Canada’s hosting of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Annual Meeting in Ottawa; Canadian Environment Minister Guilbeault’s sustained engagement with CARICOM Environment Ministers; Canadian and Jamaican Foreign Ministers  co-hosting the Women Foreign Ministers Meeting ; and continued engagement with CARICOM on Haiti at all levels, including at the Prime Minister’s level.  

“The CCI looks forward to seeing the results of these bilateral engagements as we continue to focus on our joint priorities of climate change, access to finance, regional and global security, and trade and investment. This important work will enhance the partnership between Canada and CARICOM nations and the goals of our strategic partnership” noted Canadian Co-Chair David Farrar, President of McMaster University.

Specific deliverables where progress could be demonstrated under the Partnership include moving ahead on a package of trade and investment-supportive measures including:

• Re-invigorating and modernizing an existing trade agreement and regularizing trade and investment consultations
• Supporting the formation of a joint Canada-CARICOM business association or Chamber of Commerce. 
• Commit to organizing a Caribbean-Canada Trade and Investment business event every year
• Directing greater collaboration between trade and investment promotion and development agencies

The CCI made recommendations to governments to this effect earlier in the year.

Caribbean Co-Chair Lincoln Edwards, President of Northern Caribbean University stated, “An additional, meaningful, deliverable would be for Canada to commit to ensure that CARICOM’s positions on climate change, international finance etc. are meaningfully included at the next G7 Summit, being hosted by Canada in 2025.  This could take the form of CARICOM representation at the Summit; events in the margin of the Summit; or some form of representation of CARICOM positions to other G7 countries by Canada in advance of the Summit”.

The Institute notes that it has just completed hosting its third Research Symposium focusing on climate change, one of the priorities of the Strategic Partnership. It has also organized several policy-related panel discussions with stakeholders in the past year.

The CCI is ready to assist the Strategic Partnership by helping to translate its successes to the public, by way of CCI-hosted public discussions, town hall meetings, symposia etc. of common interest.

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About the Canada-Caribbean Institute

Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) is a collaborative initiative between colleges and universities in Canada and the Caribbean.  Its mission is to connect academic institutions, scholars, businesses, public sectors, civil society, and cultural communities. The CCI aims to advance social, environmental, and economic issues vital to both regions’ shared prosperity.

The annual CCI Research Symposium provides a forum for discussion and knowledge exchange. This year’s symposium focuses on Climate Crisis, Resilience, and Alternative Energy Sources.  See www.canadacaribbeaninstitute.org for more information.

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