CANADA-CARICOM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | Caribbean News Service

1. INTRODUCTION

Sure by an unwavering friendship, Canada and the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) search to formalize their vibrant and multi-faceted partnership, as pure hemispheric companions, with sturdy and lasting foundations constructed on deep people-to-people, historic and cultural ties, and mutual respect. Among the many first to acknowledge the independence of CARICOM Member States, Canada stays steadfast in its trusted relationship with CARICOM through the years. This relationship, solid within the beginning of latest Caribbean nations, has developed into an everlasting strategic partnership amongst equals, primarily based on a shared dedication to democracy, the rule of regulation, respect for human rights and the rules-based worldwide order, and which goals to advance frequent international coverage, commerce, safety, and growth priorities.

As world actors, Canada and CARICOM be part of forces to navigate evolving geopolitical occasions, together with our most up-to-date engagement within the triple crises of COVID-19, local weather change, and meals and power insecurity.  Collectively we decide to joint motion on shared priorities similar to local weather resilience; constructing inclusive and sustainable economies; enhancing multilateral cooperation; and bolstering bilateral and regional safety, together with working collectively to assist restore the safety and stability of Haiti for the advantage of its individuals. We’re additionally dedicated to working collectively to advertise gender and racial equality and inclusion within the hemisphere, and to strengthening our already deep people-to-people ties. We’re dedicated to attaining the sustainable growth objectives (SDGs) and constructing sturdy, resilient and inclusive societies and economies.

Marking the event of our first Summit to be held in Canada, we launch the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership, to embed our shut collaboration and cooperation on mutually agreed sectors.

2. OBJECTIVES

The Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership:

• Serves as a everlasting joint mechanism for normal dialogue, in addition to for advert hoc consultations on problems with mutual curiosity, with accountability for preparation, follow-up and implementation of joint actions, choices and agreements between Canada and CARICOM.
• Fosters the present relationship between Canada and CARICOM by common chief, ministerial and senior official degree conferences to advance time-bound and agreed-upon roadmaps for motion.

3. STRUCTURE AND COORDINATION

3a.       Common Coordination and Administration

World Affairs Canada and the CARICOM Secretariat will co-lead the overall coordination and administration of the Strategic Partnership. Collaborative partnerships could be solid between competent establishments in Canada and related regional organizations in CARICOM with a view to drive dialogue and implement initiatives.

3b.       Construction and Frequency of Conferences

The Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership is comprised of normal leader-level engagement to set overarching priorities and pursuits to advance and additional deepen the partnership along with concurrent formal and advert hoc fora:

1. Canada-CARICOM Overseas Ministers’ Group (CCFMG): meet yearly to advance overarching priorities by substantive discussions on points impacting the Caribbean area and the hemisphere, rising developments and options to frequent challenges. Primarily based on the agenda and discussions in the course of the CCFMG, Ministers will set annual priorities for officers to information the implementation of a Canada-CARICOM evergreen Roadmap for motion. Overseas Ministers will report back to Leaders by a joint letter from Canada’s Overseas Minister and the Council for Overseas and Group Relations (COFCOR) pro-tempore Chair of CARICOM describing engagement, progress up to now and joint motion to advance the Strategic Partnership.
2. Canada-CARICOM Ministerial Conferences: ad-hoc ministerial-level conferences to advance particular thematic priorities, together with on Commerce, Improvement, Finance, Well being, Atmosphere, and Defence, and so on.
3. Canada-CARICOM Senior Officers’ Dialogue: the annual CCFMG assembly is preceded by the Senior Officers’ Dialogue, which serves as a preparatory assembly for Overseas Ministers’ substantive discussions on topline points, and critiques progress and implementation of the Canada-CARICOM Roadmap.
4. Canada-CARICOM Skilled Dialogues: ad-hoc professional dialogues between related Canadian and CARICOM Establishments might be established to advance thematic priorities and actions listed within the Canada-CARICOM Roadmap, together with bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives. Skilled teams would meet earlier than and after main worldwide summits, together with – however not restricted to – UNGA, the OAS, WHO, the Commonwealth, the G7 and the G20, to deepen coordinated motion on multilateral priorities of democracy, human rights, and the foundations primarily based worldwide order and amplify advocacy for hemispheric challenges. Skilled teams would report on concrete progress on the annual Senior Officers’ Dialogue, to make sure efficient and sustainable progress is being made on thematic traces of exercise.
5. Capability Constructing and Technical Help: to deepen institutional linkages by coaching, data alternate, capability constructing and technical help initiatives, together with contemplating secondments as a type of alternate program, the place a CARICOM official is embedded in a federal organisation and vice-versa within the Secretariat or inside a CARICOM Member State’s organisation.
6. Particular ad-hoc conferences: might be held on the request of Canada or CARICOM.
4. LAUNCH OF THE CANADA-CARICOM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Pursuant to the Co-Chairs’ Assertion of the Second Assembly of the Canada-CARICOM Overseas Ministers’ Group, the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership is hereby launched by Leaders on the Canada-CARICOM Summit in Ottawa, 18 October 2023.