Canadian Prime Minister to meet with Caribbean leaders in Barbados

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Ottawa – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that he will travel to Barbados on February 17-18 to participate in the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

(The member states of CARICOM are Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. The overseas territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos Islands are associate members.)

Trudeau will be received by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley – the current Chair of CARICOM and host of this meeting, says a news release from the Office of the Canadian Prime Ministere.

He will discuss challenges of mutual interest, including protecting oceans and the environment in the fight against climate change – in a region that is particularly vulnerable to its impacts, as well as creating good jobs for the middle class and sustainable economic growth, the release notes.

“Canada and Caribbean countries have always had strong relationships and almost one million people of Caribbean descent live in Canada. These relationships are based on shared values and partnerships in the fight against climate change, the promotion of democracy, trade, economic growth, and security. I look forward to meeting the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can work together to strengthen the Caribbean, and build a better world,” said Trudeau.

His visit to the Caribbean follows his week-long visit to Africa and Europe, where he is attempting to lock down votes for a seat at the Security Council table from those countries

As Canada pursues its candidacy for election to the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022, it will continue to advance shared interests to benefit people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean and around the world, says the news release from the Office of the Canadian Prime Minister

Canada, Norway and Ireland are the three countries vying for two seats, on the Security Council available to Western European countries and Canada. The winner will occupy the seat for two years.

 Canada last sat on the Security Council in 2000, and lost its last bid for a seat in 2010.