(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett accredited a new Ambassador of Canada to CARICOM, Her Excellency Deborah Gomes-Schultz, on 6 November at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana.
“Your accreditation reaffirms the longstanding and valued relationship between CARICOM and Canada,” Dr Barnett told the new ambassador.
The Secretary-General noted that during the recent breakfast meeting hosted by the Prime Minister of Canada for CARICOM leaders on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, both sides agreed to urgently re-energise the Action Plan of the CARICOM-Canada Strategic Partnership.Launched during the inaugural CARICOM-Canada Summit in Ottawa in October 2023, the Partnership is anchored in three shared priorities: economic growth, regional security, and climate resilience.
Dr Barnett said that these areas “reflect priorities of considerable importance to the Community.” She expressed appreciation for Canada’s contribution to addressing the security and humanitarian challenges facing Haiti.
“Sustained collaboration with Canada and international partners remains important to a Haitian-led response to the crisis,” she stated.
Dr Barnett said CARICOM welcomed Canada’s continued support and advocacy for the priorities and concerns of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
“This includes advancing meaningful action on adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, and, critically, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
In her remarks, Ambassador Gomes-Schultz said CARICOM is a valued and longstanding partner of Canada.
” At the heart of our relationship are our people. We embrace diversity and see it as a source of strength and creativity.”
The Ambassador said Canada remains committed to deepening trade and investment, supporting regional integration, and creating opportunities for businesses, particularly young people, on both sides.“As Canada’s representative to CARICOM, I am eager to work with the Secretariat, CARICOM partners, and regional institutions to advance the Action Plan’s priorities, strengthen our collaboration, and ensure that our commitments translate into concrete results for the people of Canada and the Caribbean,” Ambassador Gomes-Schultz stated.
Source: CARICOM